Greater Sudbury Hydro contractors are beginning annual tree trimming this week.
The utility takes a proactive approach to vegetation control in an effort to reduce the incidence of power outages caused by trees and branches falling on power lines during severe wind and weather events.
“It takes about four years for us to work through our entire system,” said Mark Van De Rydt, Engineering Supervisor for Greater Sudbury Hydro.
“We have approximately 1,000 km of power lines in our system, so we divide our service territory into sections, and focus on a couple of sections each year. We try to trim when trees are bare. Of course we do some spot trimming through the year as well, when necessary.”
With the snow diminishing and the arrival of spring, the tree trimmers will be out working again in two main sectors of the city.
These areas are located north and south of Elm Street, west of Notre Dame Avenue and Paris Street, in the Gatchell/Downtown area and the Donovan area.
“We need three meters (10 feet) of clear space around primary power lines for the safety of everyone,” said Van De Rydt.
“Trees or branches that touch a power line can become energized, and that can be harmful, even fatal, to both people and pets.”
