Seems they did a good job to me!

Eric Frei · 10th April 2009, 01:33 PM

I posted this on the comment sections ... but don't know if it will be released as comments are moderated.

Quote:

Media sensationalism at it's best ... tree savaged! LOL

Firstly, it's not established who the tree owner is.

Secondly, does Patricia Gowing have the knowledge and credentials to comment on tree pruning, would she know right from wrong?

That tree has been pollarded, and considering it was an energy company doing the cutting they did very well.

The tree has been pollarded in the past, and if anything the crew should be paid for the maintenance of the pollarded tree. One of the typical things ignorant home-owners do is not pollard the tree again frequently, letting branches grow too long and heavy resulting in failure.

To cut (prune) branches half way along to clear a wire for example would be unbalanced, ugly and likely not a "target" cut.

The crew would have made the judgement call. Previously pollarded tree overdue for it's annual/bi-annual prune. Do we just cut indiscriminately to clear what we want or do we go by the book and do a good job? Well, from an Arborist (not arbourist) they went by the book.

That tree is about the best looking pollard I've seen, and is an acceptable method of containing an otherwise large and failure prone tree to that location.

There's a stack of information about pollarding here.
We are all about trees - qualified tree pruning Brisbane

I'm not entering the debate about whether or not they should have cut it however the tree is not "savaged" by any means, ad the crew need Kudo's for doing a good job, and Patricia needs to wisen up whilst the newspaper needs to get facts no emotional outbursts.

The article: BC Hydro's savage tree-cutting surprises Tsawwassen couple

Quote:

BC Hydro "savaged" the willow tree according to Patricia Gowing. (Patricia Gowing)

Last summer the tree had a broad canopy. (Patricia Gowing)

A Tsawwassen, B.C., couple wants BC Hydro to explain why the power company "savaged" their weeping willow tree, even though it wasn't interfering with any power line.

Patricia Gowing told CBC News that last month a BC Hydro crew came and cut all the branches off the mature tree outside the kitchen window of their suburban home south of Vancouver, leaving just an ugly stump,

Gowing returned home one day to find the tree had been hacked to pieces without any notice, while her unsuspecting husband was inside.

"Our tree was half gone. He hadn't even heard it happening. So we both went outside, and these fellows said, 'BC Hydro's orders, because of the power line,'" she said.

The crew told them tree was too close to a so-called feeder line connected to a lamppost, she said.

"They didn't knock on the door. They didn't say we're going to do this. They just do it," she said.

A BC Hydro arborist who came out to see the damage couldn't explain why the willow had been chopped, she said.

"He was shocked and he said there was no reason they should have done that," she said.

In past years, BC Hydro has trimmed a few branches on the tree to keep it away from the line, she said.

But despite the severe cutting, the arbourist said the willow would likely grow back and need trimming again in about three years time.

The Gowings have complained to BC Hydro and are waiting to hear back. But Gowing also said they are not sure if the tree is entirely on their property, and could be at least partially on municipal land.

CBC News was unable to reach BC Hydro for comment early Wednesday morning.

Sean Freeman · 10th April 2009, 01:55 PM

I don't disagree that the cutting seems to have been carried out properly re making the cuts outside the old pollard head. It does seem very odd that the utility maintenance company (alledgedly) would not check in with the owners of the property before carrying out the work.

The conflict would only be the supply to the house though?... based on the limited pics.

The whole story seems odd.

Apocalypsse · 10th April 2009, 10:19 PM

Wasnt there something like that going on here a while ago? Power companies send in tree crews to hack back anything thats remotely near a power line.

Eric Frei · 11th April 2009, 08:11 AM

I think it has to do with cutting frequency, so they zone areas and know the growth rates, that means they know they wont be back for say 2 years they'll cut stuff further away as it might grow into the utilities in during that time.

Grais · 13th April 2009, 02:41 PM

This is in my area, I work for BC Hydro every day and I will bet dollars to donuts the tree trimmers had been given permission by BC Hydro, I will also bet the same that the BC Hydro person had never knocked on the door, or probably even attempted to contact the homeowner.
They are the only game in town as far as power is concerned for the bulk of the province of B.C., so they got a bit of a God complex.
I couldnt even begin to count the times we've been sent to an address, permission paperwork in hand, signed signatures and all,and the homeowners have never even been contacted.
Learned quickly to never trust the Hydro guy, and always just double check with the homeowner it has saved my ass multiple times from an embarrassing situation as these trimmers have no doubt found themselves in.
Pruning looks like about what I would have done given the situation, but I would have knocked for myself first, and consulted the homeowner, had they not answered Id have left a knocker with my cell number on it so they could reach me to set up a time to consult on the tree.
Gone are the days when you just roll up OG style and whack a homeowners trees, thats one of the reasons arborists get a bad name in this province, too much of this type of thing. Dude was probably a rookie, and know he has learned a valuable lesson.
Always knock before you chop.
Stay safe.
-Grais.

Garry Brockley · 13th April 2009, 07:43 PM

looks like a good pollard to me the crown isnt cut into and looks healthy, like grais says they must have been a rookie in the field. however i would never have that tree anywhere near my house the best cut for that is 500mm below ground level and poisoned, they have a very destructive root system they search out water wherever it is, they are a highly invasive tree that grow huge, good to dry out wet areas but thats it.
climb safe g

Hydro Guy · 7th May 2011, 01:02 PM

That willow is a weed up here. It will sucker out about 5 feet each year as a minimum. Only thing I would question is why they even bothered to trim it for the hydro. The voltage for a street light is only 110v and the wire (conductor) is likely rubber coated. That tree would not be trimmed where I live, and if it was the customer would have to pay.

Hydro Guy · 7th May 2011, 01:07 PM

Just to be clear, when Grais refers to hydro guy in his post, thats not me. I just joined your site the other day!

10th April 2009, 01:55 PM	#2
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! I don't disagree that the cutting seems to have been carried out properly re making the cuts outside the old pollard head. It does seem very odd that the utility maintenance company (alledgedly) would not check in with the owners of the property before carrying out the work. The conflict would only be the supply to the house though?... based on the limited pics. The whole story seems odd.

10th April 2009, 10:19 PM	#3
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! Wasnt there something like that going on here a while ago? Power companies send in tree crews to hack back anything thats remotely near a power line.

11th April 2009, 08:11 AM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,995	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! I think it has to do with cutting frequency, so they zone areas and know the growth rates, that means they know they wont be back for say 2 years they'll cut stuff further away as it might grow into the utilities in during that time. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

13th April 2009, 02:41 PM	#5
Grais Sappling Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: B.C., Canada Posts: 46	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! This is in my area, I work for BC Hydro every day and I will bet dollars to donuts the tree trimmers had been given permission by BC Hydro, I will also bet the same that the BC Hydro person had never knocked on the door, or probably even attempted to contact the homeowner. They are the only game in town as far as power is concerned for the bulk of the province of B.C., so they got a bit of a God complex. I couldnt even begin to count the times we've been sent to an address, permission paperwork in hand, signed signatures and all,and the homeowners have never even been contacted. Learned quickly to never trust the Hydro guy, and always just double check with the homeowner it has saved my ass multiple times from an embarrassing situation as these trimmers have no doubt found themselves in. Pruning looks like about what I would have done given the situation, but I would have knocked for myself first, and consulted the homeowner, had they not answered Id have left a knocker with my cell number on it so they could reach me to set up a time to consult on the tree. Gone are the days when you just roll up OG style and whack a homeowners trees, thats one of the reasons arborists get a bad name in this province, too much of this type of thing. Dude was probably a rookie, and know he has learned a valuable lesson. Always knock before you chop. Stay safe. -Grais.

13th April 2009, 07:43 PM	#6
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! looks like a good pollard to me the crown isnt cut into and looks healthy, like grais says they must have been a rookie in the field. however i would never have that tree anywhere near my house the best cut for that is 500mm below ground level and poisoned, they have a very destructive root system they search out water wherever it is, they are a highly invasive tree that grow huge, good to dry out wet areas but thats it. climb safe g __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

7th May 2011, 01:02 PM	#7
Hydro Guy Sappling Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 11	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! That willow is a weed up here. It will sucker out about 5 feet each year as a minimum. Only thing I would question is why they even bothered to trim it for the hydro. The voltage for a street light is only 110v and the wire (conductor) is likely rubber coated. That tree would not be trimmed where I live, and if it was the customer would have to pay.

7th May 2011, 01:07 PM	#8
Hydro Guy Sappling Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 11	Re: Seems they did a good job to me! Just to be clear, when Grais refers to hydro guy in his post, thats not me. I just joined your site the other day!

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