In March, a windstorm caused a large spruce tree in the Okanagan to come crashing down, narrowly missing a Naramata home. The homeowners, Allan Horwood and his family, were thankful that they were not on the deck at the time of the incident, as they believe they would have been killed. The tree had been heavily trimmed by FortisBC five months prior, leading the Horwoods to predict such an event. This incident, along with similar experiences of other residents, has raised concerns about the safety of trimming trees near or on properties for power line maintenance.
Rob Collins, a homeowner in Kelowna’s Lower Mission neighborhood, also expressed his frustration with the heavy pruning of trees in the area. He mentioned a tree that had been trimmed so extensively that it could potentially fall onto a resident’s house in a strong gust of wind. Callum Crowley, a certified arborist from Ninja Tree Services in Kelowna, explained that improper pruning can weaken trees and make them more susceptible to wind and snow loads. He advised regular inspections of trimmed trees to prevent future issues, as rapid regrowth can lead to limb failure.
Horwood empathizes with affected homeowners and hopes that those who have had trees heavily pruned find a resolution. He believes that the damage caused by trimming should be cleaned up and addressed. FortisBC, the utility company responsible for tree trimming, responded to concerns raised by homeowners, stating that they recognize the importance of trees and their role in the environment. The company said that certified, third-party arborists conduct tree trimming, and trees are only pruned if their branches are within a certain distance of power lines. This is done to ensure public safety, prevent power outages, and reduce the risk of wildfires.
FortisBC explained that property owners are encouraged to plant trees a safe distance away from power infrastructure to avoid the need for trimming. They can also hire a utility-certified arborist to trim trees away from power lines before the company is required to do so for safety reasons. The company acknowledged the concerns raised by community members about tree management around infrastructure and stated that they would be reviewing their processes internally. It appears that the issue of tree trimming for power line maintenance has raised significant concerns among residents and utility companies, sparking discussions about the best practices for tree pruning to ensure both public safety and the health of the environment.
