Olynyk said BC Hydro does not need consent to trim trees.

We use a variety of methods to manage vegetation near our system. This includes pruning, hazard tree removal, and herbicide application, as well as encouraging compatible use of the land. The Ministry of Environment authorizes our use of herbicides [PDF, KB] and the products we use have been approved by Health Canada. We work throughout the year to identify and remove trees when they become hazardous.

But there is some responsibility on the property owner to manage the esthetics of trees.

Staying safe around overhead lines It's important to remember that you need to stay at least three metres (10 feet) away from power lines, along with any branches you might.

May 15, Contact with a power line can cause severe injury, or even death. While it's the property owner's responsibility to ensure vegetation on their property is clear of power lines, it’s not always safe to do that tree trimming on your own. If any part of the tree or hedge is within three metres of a power line, call 1 BCHYDRO or a certified utility arborist.

A spokesperson for BC Hydro says crews trim trees for safety not esthetics, while also noting that it will work with owners of trees wherever possible.

Only a professional trained to safely work with vegetation close to power lines should be doing the work. Before you start trimming. BC Hydro is spendingmillion on tree pruning on Vancouver Island in and 1 million on hazardous tree removal.

Inthose respective figures will go up tomillion andmillion, as BC Hydro prepares for changing weather and growing patterns in the face of climate takedownstump.bar: Wolf Depner. tree, and anyone who cannot do their own pruning or is unsure how to do it safely is urged by BC Hydro to contact a certified utility arborist to prune trees.

Cll a 1 BCHYDRO if any part of a tree or hedge is within three metres of a power line.