Starting in December, residents in south-central Oakville will see the town’s contractor, Davey Tree Experts, pruning trees on behalf of Oakville Hydro. Trees are pruned to ensure safe clearance around hydro lines to minimize safety hazards and power outages. Residents are invited to an open house on November 16, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakville Town Hall to learn more about the process.
The town ensures that trees in each of the three zones of Oakville Hydro’s service area are pruned responsibly on a three-year cycle to ensure safety and maintain the health and wellbeing of the trees. Trees are pruned in compliance with the Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA) industry standard of providing a minimum three-metre (10-foot) clearance around main hydro lines. In rare instances, trees growing too close to the hydro line may need to be removed if the clearance standard cannot be achieved using acceptable pruning practices.
Property owners are responsible for having their private trees properly maintained; however, in some instances, the town’s contractor must prune privately owned trees if they have grown too close to the hydro line. When hydro lines are located in rear yards, Oakville Hydro has an easement through the property which allows the arborist to access the tree.
At the open house, residents will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the town’s Forestry section and Oakville Hydro.
If you have any accessibility needs, please contact ServiceOakville one week before the open house at 905-845-6601 or [email protected] or by filling out the accessible online feedback form at oakville.ca.