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ESB and tree cutting

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  • 13-07-2010 10:48am
    #1
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭


    I got a call yesterday from a contractor employed by the ESB to trim and cut trees and hedges around electricity lines. Apparently there is a rule that there must be 6 feet of clear area around these lines now if this is followed it will mean almost completely cutting down a sycamore tree on my site which is approx 50-60 years old and it may be up to 80 or 90 I dont know for sure but it's a fine, big, healthy tree.
    Naturally I don't want this tree cut down but the lines run very close to the main trunk so slight pruning would not satisfy these rules. Is there anythign I can do or must I submit to this?


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    #2
    AngryHippie
    Registered Users Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭AngryHippie


    I'm pretty sure you've got to bite the pillow on that one, there may be an out if the power is just coming in to the property, but if the line goes through, you're screwed.


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    #3
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭gears


    AngryHippie wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure you've got to bite the pillow on that one, there may be an out if the power is just coming in to the property, but if the line goes through, you're screwed.

    I hope not. But it is just going straight through a neighbour. I guess theres no chance they would re-route the power line?


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    #4
    Cookie_Monster
    Registered Users Posts: 24,469 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    if its 60+ years old would this issue not have come up before?
    It so ask them why its an issue all of a sudden.


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    #5
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭gears


    Cookie_Monster wrote: »
    if its 60+ years old would this issue not have come up before?
    It so ask them why its an issue all of a sudden.

    It is strange ok, the cable hasn't beenthere 60 years but it must there at least 20-30 any way so I just don't know....


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    #6
    Shiny
    Registered Users Posts: 2,259 ✭✭✭Shiny


    We have had our trees/hedge (leylandii) cut by ESB contractors
    several times. Its due a trim again actually...:rolleyes:

    It may not have been an issue before as they might not have
    seen it until now or let it pass until now.

    Let them trim it and perhaps try to avoid this situation.


    any pics of this by the way?


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    #7
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭gears


    Little update for anyone in a similar situation. I met the contractor on site and we had a chat. Basically if you have a problem with any proposed cutting you can refuse to allow them to cut and a report goes to the ESB and as I understand it a representative from the ESB will come out and do an assestment of the situation, I assume form a safety point of view and decide what needs to be done. If you still refuse I dont know what happens then but I would guess it gets legal.
    Now my situation looks like it will be ok, the contractor is being resonable and will only cut the bare minimum necessary and wont be cutting the trunk of the tree, a big relief I can tell you.


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    #8
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    I was only reading in the independent yesterday that a 27 year old timber-cutter died a few weeks ago.He was working for a contractor working for the esb. I wonder does this have any relation too the fact they are keeping distances greater to try prevent similar circumstances from happening. It was an old paper, might have been april or may


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    #9
    breadmonkey
    Registered Users Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭breadmonkey


    gears wrote: »
    Little update for anyone in a similar situation. I met the contractor on site and we had a chat. Basically if you have a problem with any proposed cutting you can refuse to allow them to cut and a report goes to the ESB and as I understand it a representative from the ESB will come out and do an assestment of the situation, I assume form a safety point of view and decide what needs to be done. If you still refuse I dont know what happens then but I would guess it gets legal.
    Now my situation looks like it will be ok, the contractor is being resonable and will only cut the bare minimum necessary and wont be cutting the trunk of the tree, a big relief I can tell you.

    Thanks for the update. Let us know what happens. Don't suppose you'd be up for getting some before and after photos (assuming they decide to trim it)?


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    #10
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭gears


    Well they were due to cut it today or tomorrow so if they havent done it today I'll take a few photos when I get home.


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    #11
    gears
    Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭gears


    Sorry but the work was all done when I arrived home and in fairness they did a good job and only cut the bare minimum from the tree so I'm happy with the work considering what I had thought might happen.


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    #12
    SeamusFX
    Registered Users Posts: 418 ✭✭SeamusFX


    Sorry, just got a similar request, but are you obliged to pay them for trimming the trees on your property?

    What's crazy is my hedge is at least 3 meters from the power line, but they say you need 4 meters. Seems very excessive to me. I could easily trim it and I have before, wondering if I should do it or let them do it and risk that they'll make a mess.


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    #13
    Oldtree
    Registered Users Posts: 8,104 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    no you don't have to pay them for powerline work. What type of lines do you have over your hedge? If your hedge comes within their cutting distance, you may be putting yourself at risk to cut it yourself. You have the option of getting in your own professional (with the agreement of the ESB) and get them to do the work but you have to pay for that.

    faq's for ESB if trees touching lines
    http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/domestic-customers/faqs.jsp#tree_intergering


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