Oak Trees/Power Lines/Kid's Playscape (Austin: neighborhood, inspection, live)

[Exiled Texan]

We have a large live oak in our back yard. Part of it touches power lines. I guess power doesn't travel through the lines? Would put a playscape under the canopy?

[Trainwreck20]

Are these the power lines running from the main grid (trunk lines) to your house, or are the neighborhood trunk lines? In any case, it is really not a safe situation, although the electricity (as per my simple understanding) takes the path of least resistance, which is not normally through the tree but along the power line. There are a couple of risks, though - the tree could bridge two lines (if there are multiple ones) and cause them to short and maybe lead to a fire of electrocution hazard via the tree, or the wind could cause the branches to tear a line down (leaving it on the ground or play scape), or kids could climb the tree and make contact with the lines.

In any case, the power company will come out and give your tree a lobotomy, of sorts, to give the line some room. If you don't feel like having the tree removed or sheared, I would still not feel completely safe with a play scape under it. I think the power company will remove/trim it for free, and they may come out and do that anyway as soon as they notice during a regular inspection.

[Exiled Texan]

Neighborhood lines.

I think we may move the playscape a bit, and, after oak wilt season, have the power company give the tree a haircut.

[atxcio]

Must be Tarrytown. I don't know what their secret agreement is with Austin Electric, but in every other part of town the city will come and trim your trees well back from the powerlines.. whether you like it or not.

If you drive along Exposition, you'll see just how close they'll let it get. I'm not sure anywhere else in town looks like that, with the trees growing right around (or just inches from) the power lines.

Even if it's not a danger for electrocution, at the very least they are asking for real trouble in an ice storm...