Tree Trimming

Tree Trimming

In order to maintain reliable service, we sometimes have to trim trees. By focusing on trees that line our streets, we are making sure you are safe and receive reliable power service for your home.

CUSTOMER REQUESTS

We sometimes receive customer requests to trim trees on and around customer properties. To provide you with the best service possible, we focus on requests for trees that are near dangerous power lines to ensure you are kept safe.

We aim to complete tree trimming requests within 10 business days.

POWER LINES NEAR YOUR HOME

A tree that has 3 meters (10 feet) of horizontal clearance to a power line or utility pole is not a threat to the electrical system. This gives the tree enough room to sway with the wind or bend with the weight of snow and ice without threatening an outage. 

NOVA SCOTIA POWER RESPONSIBILITY

These wires are high voltage and dangerous. It is Nova Scotia Power’s responsibility to maintain safe clearance around these wires for the health of the electrical system. If you see a tree on or near these wires, please call us at 1-800-428-6230 or Request a Tree Trim in MyAccount. 

Emergency situations require Nova Scotia Power’s immediate attention. A tree laying on a power line can cause flickering lights in the home or damage to a utility pole and equipment. If you see this kind of situation, please call us immediately at 1-800-428-6230.

 

 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

These wires require a local contractor to complete the tree work needed around them.

 

A low-voltage service wire brings electricity from the street power pole through to a metal mast on your house, which belongs to you. Trees around service wires could damage your mast and cause a power interruption to your home. Trimming is your responsibility. Qualified contractors are able to work around service wires. Find a local contractor here.

Communication wires (with black insulation around them) are the lower wires that run along the street and into your house, transmitting phone, cable and Internet signals. These are not electrical wires. Trees around these wires do not threaten the electrical system.

Support cables provide physical support to utility poles. These are not electrical wires. Trees or bushes around these wires do not threaten the electrical system.

Tree Trimming Contractors

These contractors are approved by Nova Scotia Power to work near our power lines for the purposes of tree clearing, and are available to perform tree work on your property as well.

 

Local contractors

ASPLUNDH TREE SERVICES

Operating Areas: Throughout Nova Scotia (offices in Fall River, Bridgewater, Truro, Antigonish and Baddeck)          

(902) 468-8733

 

LUCAS TREE EXPERTS     

Operating Areas: Northern, Western and South Shore of Nova Scotia       

(902) 876-0394 

 

ATLANTIC ARBORISTS LTD.          

Operating Areas: Western Nova Scotia   

(902) 765-8050

  

GPF TREE SERVICES

Operating Areas: Northern Nova Scotia

(902) 396-1998

 

ANDREW MACDONALD LANDSCAPING

Operating Areas: Cape Breton

(902) 561-1990

 

Tree Planting Advice

The right tree in the right place.

There are lots of great benefits to having trees in our communities. That’s why we work with you to find trees that work well near power lines. We want to make sure your family stays safe and avoid unnecessary power outages. To help you choose the right trees, we and our partner Landscape Nova Scotia created the Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place program. Together, we’ll help you find safe ways to use trees when landscaping near power lines.

Many trees are safe to plant near power lines:

  • Young’s Weeping Birch
  • Weeping Siberian
  • Pea-Shrub
  • Catalpa Umbrella Tree
  • Globe Maples
  • Service Berry
  • White Fringetree
  • Toba Hawthorn
  • Purple Weeping Beech
  • Tree Form Hydrangea
  • Kwanzan Cherry
  • Newport Plum
  • Weeping Mulberry
  • Weeping Goat Willow
  • Witchhazel
  • Japanese Maples
  • Japanese Stewartia
  • Golden Chain Tree

Evergreens:

  • Emerald Cedar
  • Holmstrup Cedar
  • Unicorn Cedar
  • Moffet Blue Juniper
  • Skyrocket Juniper
  • Ontario Green Juniper
  • Spartan Juniper
  • Dwarf White Pine
  • Dwarf Ohlendorffii Spruce
  • Dwarf Serbian Spruce
  • Nest Spruce
  • Montgomery Blue Spruce

Flowering Crabapples:

  • Candymint
  • Madonna
  • Pink Spires
  • Prairie Fire
  • Profusion
  • Indian Magic
  • Selkirk
  • Snowdrift
  • Weeping Flowering Crab
  • Red Splendor

Magnolias:

  • Alexandrina
  • Betty
  • Dr. Merrill
  • Royal Star
  • Susan Lenard
  • Messel Saucer

Flowering Dogwoods:

  • Satomi
  • Kousa Chinensis

Making the right tree choice offers great benefits.

  • You’ll help prevent safety hazards and power outages. You’ll also reduce the need for tree and limb cutting around power lines.
  • Trees screen and buffer utility lines in residential areas and have a direct effect on the environment by removing carbon dioxide, generating oxygen and capturing dust and smog particles.
  • Trees have cooling effects through providing shade during the hot summer months and reduce energy costs for air-conditioning and water use.
  • Large trees promote wildlife habitats in our communities.