tom_cass

Thanks for all the posts (yes all of them :-) ) My original question has been answered. The tree is only about 40 years old, the previous owner planted it (so he told me) so the electric line would have been there before the house. Branches are almost touching the house and we have have underground sewage pipe damage.(10m away from the house mind) I also have to consider the insurance aspect of a tree 2-3 times the size of house so close, 8m or so from the house. Yes its a very nice tree, shame it was not planted with more foresight as to how big it would be one day. We have extensive woods on two sides of the peoperty, plus a couple nice oak and douglas fir in the garden, so we are not lacking for native species of tree near by. So...anyone out there covering S Shropshire? Regards Tom.

Hi All I hope someone with an understanding of utility company\tree management responsibility can spare a minute to help me here. We have a large tree outside our house which has the electricity line passing very close, less than a metre from the trunk. Hopefully this is visible on the attachment. The line ends with our house btw. The electricity company contractors were out recently and as you can see trimmed some branches near to the line. I understand the power companies have a responsibility to manage trees which are close to power lines. My question is should they have actually cut the tree down or is their responsibility satisfied by cutting back a few branches? Are there some guidelines on what the 'best practice' is here, I have not been able to find something online. I ask this as ultimately the tree will need taking down (its too big/blocks the light/damages the drains/etc) and if i can avoid having to pay for this myself then great...otherwise...I will be needing someone with a head for heights to get this done. Thanks for any advise you can offer. Regards Tom