Tree lopping - energy company paying?

Dizzie77

I'm not sure where to post this....but I'll start here..!

I have a huge Oak tree in my garden - which is lovely, but getting a bit too big for it's boots at the mo - and in need of a trim. I only want it trimmed, and not felled. It's not subject to a tree preservation order.

I have electricity cables that run through the branches of the tree - for my house, and my neighbours house, and a colleague has suggested today that the energy company would pay for the work to the tree, as it is in their interest to make it safe.
Has anyone got any knowledge or experience of this? If so - who would I contact at the energy company??

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.....if I don't have to spend my redundancy money getting the tree cut back, then I won't.!

Lotus-eater

I don't see what you've got to lose by asking them.

Dizzie77

But would I ask my energy company? Would I ask Central networks?
Bit confused by the whole energy company thing...!!

peter_the_piper

Even though you don't have a preservation order it would pay to contact local Planning Office to check that consent is not needed for any work. Some councils do, others may not.

moomin5

We have similar situation with energy cables and a large sycamore tree. The energy company actually contacted us to check the tree then later a team came and trimmed it back along with our willow and other vegetation in the area while the electricity was switched off. I think it was central networks who contacted us but it may depend on the area your in.

davemorton

I know in my area, the network team come round once every 5 years to trim trees that are close to power lines. How long have you lived there?? Have they never come and asked to trim the tree before?

Dizzie77

Thanks for your replies. I've only lived here 3 years, but nobody has been out to check the tree to my knowledge.
My neighbours power line was brought down earlier in the year - which is what prompted me to get a wiggle on.

I'll start with central networks and see how I get on.....thanks everyone!

oh - and I don't need permission for work on my tree - the tree officer said that although there was no TPO in place,
he wouldn't like to see the tree felled (neither would i!!) and that I should use a reputable company with insurance -
no other caveats.

Thanks again

Legacy

Hi, We were visited a few weeks ago by Scottish Power who TOLD US in no uncertain terms that they WOULD be lopping about 8 of our Leylandi trees (we only moved in 12 months ago, these leylandi are huge so planted a fair while ago and in fairness it would be a bit daft to plant something so quick growing that near to cables) and would be removing totally one of our birch trees. I was slightly concerned as the leylandi screen us from a caravan park and when I explained this to them they were understanding and said they'd only take as much off as they had to. We then received a letter confirming the date and time they would be working - they arrived at 6am with loads of huge loppers and chippers. As it happened, it worked in our favor as we had planned to lop the trees anyway to get more light onto our lawn and as they did it for free, we saved about £200+. They were very clean and tidy workers and it was all over and done with in about an hour. They offered us the wood chippings too or they could take them away. They lopped our trees to about 4 foot away from the cables. We were really pleased with what they did, but bear in mind if you call them out and ask them about lopping, they may insist that they lop other trees that perhaps you thought didn't need (or wont take kindly to) loping. Hope that helps..

Dizzie77

Thanks for the advice everyone - I've contacted Central Networks in the first instance
(http://www.eon-uk.com/distribution/306.aspx) for future reference if anyone needs it....
we shall see what they say.

As for other trees Legacy, it's only conifers that are getting a bit big and have to be cut
back every year anyway - and that we are planning on disposing of in the next few weeks,
so I don't mind them disappearing..!!

Thanks everyone for your help