Tree Growing Near Power Lines — What You Need to Know

Trees growing into or close to overhead power lines represent one of the most serious electrical and fire hazards in Pretoria's residential areas. When a tree branch makes contact with a live power line, it creates a path for electricity to flow through the wood and into the ground — this is called a ground fault, and it can be lethal to any person or animal in the vicinity. The current through the tree can cause the tree to catch fire, potentially spreading to the structure and surrounding garden. Even branches that are not yet touching a line but are within close proximity present a risk during high winds, when branches can swing into contact with lines during Pretoria's intense summer storms.

Beyond the direct electrocution and fire risk, trees in contact with power lines are a leading cause of local power outages in Pretoria's residential suburbs. When a tree grounds a line, the automatic circuit breakers protecting the line trip and cut power to the affected area until the fault can be cleared. During storm season, this is a frequent cause of the rolling outages that affect Pretoria suburbs. Eskom is responsible for maintaining clearance along its high-voltage distribution network, but property owners are responsible for trees on their properties that are growing into Eskom's lower-voltage service lines — the lines that connect the street supply to individual properties.

Understanding who is responsible for clearing trees near power lines in Pretoria depends on which type of line is involved and where the tree is located. The general framework is as follows:

• Eskom's high-voltage transmission and distribution lines (the large lines on tall pylons or major distribution poles) — Eskom is responsible for maintaining the vegetation clearance servitude along these lines. They have the right to enter private properties to clear vegetation within this servitude, and they manage this through their own tree trimming and clearing contractors.
• Municipal distribution lines — in some areas of Tshwane, street-level distribution lines are managed by the municipality rather than Eskom. The City of Tshwane's electrical department is responsible for clearing municipal lines.
• Service connections to your property (the line from the street pole to your house) — trees on your property that are growing into the service connection line are generally your responsibility to manage.
• Trees on your property growing into a neighbour's service line or a street line — you are responsible for the tree; your professional and Eskom/municipality can advise on the clearance requirements for the specific line type involved.

When in doubt, call Eskom (0860 037 566) or the City of Tshwane's electrical fault line to report the tree and get guidance before arranging any tree work near power lines.

When a tree on your property is near, growing into, or touching power lines, the following actions are absolutely prohibited for any untrained person:

• Never attempt to cut, trim, or prune any tree that is touching or within 3 metres of a power line yourself. This work must only be done by a professional with the appropriate qualifications and only after the line has been confirmed safe or de-energised.
• Never touch a tree branch that is touching a power line — regardless of whether the line appears active or damaged. Treat all lines as live at all times.
• Never use a ladder, pole, or any conductive tool near a power line when inspecting or working on a tree.
• Never allow children to climb a tree that is near power lines — even when the tree is not touching the line, a single storm event could change this before you are aware of the contact.
• Never burn tree debris near a power line — fire and smoke can conduct electricity, and sparks from burning debris near a live line present serious fire and electrical risks.
• Never allow anyone to begin tree work near power lines without confirmed line isolation from Eskom — no responsible professional will begin work on a tree in contact with a live line.

If you notice that a tree on your property — or a tree overhanging from a neighbouring property — is growing toward or in contact with power lines, the correct response is:

1. Do not touch the tree or attempt any trimming yourself.
2. Report it to Eskom immediately at 0860 037 566. Explain the situation, your address, and whether the tree is currently touching the line or growing toward it. Eskom has a specific process for tree-line hazards and will advise on the next steps.
3. Contact a qualified tree felling professional to assess the scope of work required and obtain a quotation. They will coordinate with Eskom regarding line isolation requirements for the clearance work.
4. If you can see sparking, smoke, or fire from where a branch is in contact with a line, call 10111 (police) and 10177 (fire/ambulance) immediately, then call Eskom. Keep all people and animals well away from the area.
5. If the tree belongs to a neighbour, notify them in writing of the hazard and the fact that you have reported it to Eskom. Ask them to arrange professional clearance urgently.

Do not delay acting on a tree-line contact — the risk of fire, outage, or electrocution hazard to anyone who touches the tree increases with every day the contact continues.

Proactive management of trees near power lines is far less expensive, less disruptive, and considerably safer than dealing with a tree that has grown into contact with a line. The most effective preventive measure is mindful planting: when planting new trees anywhere near the path of overhead power lines, choose species that will remain below the line's height at full maturity, or position new planting sufficiently far from the line that the tree's eventual canopy spread will not reach the conductors.

For existing trees that are approaching the power line clearance zone, regular professional pruning on a 2–3 year cycle is the most practical management strategy. Directional pruning — removing growth specifically in the direction of the power line while maintaining the tree's overall health and shape — can keep a tree safely clear of lines indefinitely. In some cases where a tree has grown to a point where ongoing management is not practical or where the power line cannot realistically be maintained clear, removal and replanting with a more appropriate species is the safest long-term solution. An arborist can advise on the realistic management options for your specific tree and power line configuration.