Why we trim or remove trees near gas and power lines 

Trees growing too close to gas or power lines can damage our equipment and create safety risks. That’s why we trim or remove trees and brush near our systems. Our work helps prevent outages, reduce the risk of fires and keep people and property safe.

How can trees near utility lines be hazardous?

Trees and large shrubs can affect our systems in several ways:

  • branches can touch power lines and cause outages
  • falling trees can damage gas and electrical equipment
  • roots can interfere with underground gas lines
  • overgrown vegetation can block safe access for crews
  • trees falling on or touching power lines can energize nearby property and may pose a fire risk

Why does FortisBC have a tree and brush clearing program?

Our tree and brush clearing program helps us maintain safe clearance around our gas and electric systems. It includes:

  • tree trimming
  • identifying and removing hazardous trees
  • manual and mechanical brush cutting
  • herbicide use
  • encouraging safe planting near utility lines

We follow federal, provincial and local laws and regulations when doing this work.

How does FortisBC decide if a tree needs trimming or removal?

Our crews will trim trees when their branches are within clearance limits of a distribution power line. They trim trees so they ideally won’t need trimming again for at least five years.

Our crews remove dead, declining, or otherwise unstable trees, and any tree that could become a safety hazard. They will also remove trees growing within our gas line rights of way.

Frequently asked questions

We are responsible for:

  • trimming or removing trees near our power lines and gas lines
  • clearing vegetation around our equipment, such as transformers
  • inspecting trees that could pose a safety risk

Property owners are responsible for:

  • maintaining trees near secondary power lines that serve their property
  • hiring a certified utility arborist to trim trees on their property near power lines
  • keeping vegetation clear of power lines
  • planting trees and shrubs at safe distances from utility lines
  • the wood debris left behind if a hazard tree is cut down by FortisBC crews on their property

Safe planting can help prevent future tree removal, or the need for heavy pruning.

Important safety information

You should never prune trees near power lines yourself. Untrained individuals have been seriously injured and even killed by trying to do this work. Always hire a certified utility arborist. Before they work on trees on your property, you can arrange to have your power service temporarily disconnected or wires temporarily removed by calling us at 1-866-436-7847. In most cases, there is no charge for this service.

We do not provide notice for routine trimming or vegetation maintenance. This allows us to complete work efficiently and manage maintenance costs which affect electricity and gas rates.

For hazard tree removals, we try to notify property owners in advance when possible.

When we identify a hazardous tree that needs to be safely cut down, we will make arrangements to do so at our own expense. The property owner remains responsible for the tree debris and stump.

We’re here to help

Contact us if you have concerns about trees or shrubs near our systems.

Electricity safety

  • If you live in our electricity service area (the B.C. Southern Interior) and you see a dead, damaged or dangerous tree near our power lines or other electricity equipment, call 1‑866‑436‑7847.
  • If a tree has fallen on a power line, stay at least 10 metres away and call us or 911.

Gas safety

  • If you think trees or shrubs may be affecting a gas line, call 1‑888‑224‑2710.

We assess each situation and schedule work based on safety risk.