Learn how to plant and maintain trees responsibly near electrical lines and equipment.
These important guidelines will help keep our community safe, ensure reliable power, and support a healthy environment for Burlington.
Overhead Clearance
For an easier and safer planting experience, be sure to review the necessary tree planting clearances before you begin. As trees get bigger, their branches might reach powerlines — especially during storms or windy days — which often causes outages. By planning carefully now, you can avoid future issues and help keep your family and community safe.
For easy reference, we’ve illustrated all clearance requirements in Table 1 and Figure 1. When choosing plants, keep in mind that species that grow quickly need extra attention and should be planted farther from overhead wires so they remain safe as they grow and mature.
An infographic titled "Tree Trimming Program" illustrates the safety clearances required between trees and power lines using a utility pole and three distinct planting zones.
The diagram establishes that the standard practice is to maintain a 3-metre (10-foot) clearance from the primary power line. To achieve this, trees are categorized into three height-based zones:
High Zone: Trees taller than 7.6 m (25 ft) must be planted at least 7.6 m (25 ft) away from the utility pole.
Medium Zone: Trees up to 7.6 m (25 ft) tall must be at least 4.5 m (15 ft) away from the pole.
Low Zone: Small trees or shrubs up to 4.5 m (15 ft) tall must maintain a minimum distance of 3 m (10 ft) from the pole.
Figure 1: Tree Trimming Zones
Three Tree Planting Zones – High, Medium and Low – The maximum heights and clearances required from electricity poles and wires are illustrated. The zones and applicable clearances are outlined in Table 1.
