How to Prune Trees Near Electrical Lines

If you have trees on your property, then it is often your job to keep them pruned and away from public structures. For example, your trees might be growing dangerously close to electrical lines. Keep in mind that if the trees are touching the electrical lines, you must contact your local utility company to prune the trees. However, if they are just near the electrical lines, with some caution, you can prune the trees yourself.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Try to trim a tree that is growing near electrical lines when the tree is as young as possible. The earlier you can start pruning the tree, the less likely it is to continue growing toward the power lines.
- 2
  Look carefully at the tree that is growing near the electrical lines. Make note of which branches seem to be growing toward the electrical lines. These are the branches you will be trimming. This method is called directional pruning.
- 3
  Follow the branches that are growing toward the electrical lines back toward the tree.
- 4
  Prune the branch at the first crotch in the branches, or "V." Try not to prune branches at the trunk because this will promote decay and may harm the tree.
- 5
  Use pruning shears that are extended on a pole to reach higher branches that are growing toward the electrical lines. Follow them back to the first branch crotch, as well.

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