When we’re installing new lines, we evaluate the best routes to minimize the impact on the environment. Any route may involve removing trees. We try to balance tree preservation with proper pole and line installation and maintenance.

Each tree is different and is considered individually. We look at:

• Species growth habits (rate, size, shape, etc.)
• A tree’s position in relation to the power line (including how close the trunk is to the power line)
• Its current condition, including individual branches
• Whether the tree is deciduous or evergreen (each requires different pruning techniques)

As well, different power lines (high voltage primary lines and low voltage secondary service lines) have different clearance requirements. Our arborists make every attempt to obtain sufficient clearance so that the tree will remain safe until we return on our next maintenance cycle.

The current Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA) industry standard and InnPower Corporation Standard is a clearance of three metres (10 feet) from primary lines.

We employ a systematic approach to maintaining our overhead high voltage and low voltage secondary lines in Innisfil and South Barrie. The condition of vegetation (trees and plants) around the power lines dictates our need to manage the growth. Depending on the conditions on a given line, our maintenance schedule is to cover the whole InnPower Corporation service territory every four years.

Tree Trimming: The majority of our pruning occurs during line maintenance cycles. Any small branches and brush will be cleaned as part of this maintenance.

Public Tree Removals: In partnership with the Town of Innisfil and South Barrie, the whole tree will be removed from site with only the stump will remain for further action from the respective municipality.

Private Tree Removals (as identified during cycle trimming): As part of the Distribution System Code, InnPower Corporation has the right to maintain our assets. InnPower or our Contractor will do our best to notify customers of pending removals of private trees. If a private tree needs to be removed for safety and/or reliability purposes, InnPower will remove the tree down to the neutral line. All small branches and brush will be removed. Any large wood will be stacked at the base of the tree for the customer.

When trees are on private property and are dead or unhealthy, the tree is not only a danger to you, your property and the general public; it is also a danger to InnPower Corporation’s power lines.

If you come upon a situation in which you feel your tree is unsafe, please inform InnPower Corporation by calling (705) 431-4321. One of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist you. You are required by law to have the tree(s) looked at and made safe. You must contact a certified arborist contractor and have any tree issues resolved. As a property owner, you are responsible for all costs associated with the work done on the tree(s) on your property, including clean up.

InnPower Corporation in partnership with the Town of Innisfil hire a contractor to carry out regularly scheduled tree maintenance on our behalf.

During power line clearing, service contractors, using sound judgement, will prune private trees when necessary or will advise the property owner to have the necessary work done. The Electricity Act grants access for InnPower Corporation and its contractors to “enter and maintain any land for the purpose of cutting down or removing trees, branches or other obstructions”. Easements are established at the municipal development planning stage that allows InnPower Corporation and other utilities to access and maintain equipment on private properties.

Please note: Ownership of a tree is determined by the actual physical location of the tree. Whoever is the owner of the land upon which a tree is situated is also the owner of that tree. With that ownership comes all the corresponding responsibility for the care and maintenance of the tree. It does not matter who actually planted the tree – the owner of the land upon which the tree is located owns the tree and is responsible for that tree.

When an act of nature (such as lightning, ice storms, snow storms, high winds, thunderstorms, tornadoes) or an accident causes your tree or vegetation to fall across power lines, creating a hazard or a power interruption, InnPower Corporation will cut and move enough of the trees and brush so poles and lines can be replaced and reenergized. The remainder of the cutting and disposal of all wood, limbs and debris resulting from this type of emergency operation is the responsibility of the property owner.

Any work done on trees in close proximity to hydro lines must be done by a certified tree contractor. InnPower Corporation will work with you and your chosen contractor to make the area safe prior to any work being completed. As property owner, you are responsible for all costs associated with the work done on the tree(s) on your property, including clean up.

Public streetlights are owned by the Town of Innisfil and City of Barrie (with exceptions for some condominium corporations and mall parking lots). Please contact the proper town or city for this type of maintenance.

Service Barrie: (705) 726-4242

Innisfil: (705) 436-3710

Please stay as far away as possible from any wire on the ground and call InnPower Corporation immediately at (705) 431-4321 to notify us of the danger. You should maintain a distance of 10 metres or more from a downed overhead powerline.

For assistance in locating and marking underground utility lines, contact Ontario One Call at least five business days before you plan to start digging. You can call them at 1(800) 400-2255 or visit www.on1call.com.

The Town of Innisfil and City of Barrie plants trees on municipal property according to the right tree in the right place principle, taking site lines and proximity to power lines into consideration. In some instances, trees are planted on municipal property without the town’s knowledge or consent.

To provide safe and reliable service to all of our customers, InnPower Corporation must prune trees near the power lines. As well, we are legally required through the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario and the Ontario Electricity Act to prune trees and plants growing near power lines.

Over time, trees can grow into, fall onto, or have their branches break off over power lines during storms. When this happens, the electricity service to your home, your neighbours’ homes and whole communities can be affected. There are a range of potential disruptions – everything from flickering lights to a complete loss of power.

Since power lines are interconnected, damage can be felt at many points across the electricity grid. In the worst case, a tree can take down an entire line and break the poles that hold the line in place.

As well, there are many safety issues arising from trees being too close to power lines:

• Power lines knocked down by trees may still be energized and are very dangerous if approached or touched. Serious injuries or death can occur if the tree or energized power lines are touched.
• People can climb trees and, by mistake, touch an energized power line. Touching a power line is dangerous no matter if you are on the ground or up in a tree.
• People standing near a tree that is touching a power line can be electrocuted as the power always goes to the ground.
• Trees can obscure a work area and make it dangerous for people doing maintenance on a power line or trying to keep the trees in the area pruned.

We prune all the trees within one area of the service territory every four years.

Prior to the program starting:

• Notice will run through social media and other means.
• Notice may be left at your door if a significant amount of pruning or tree removal is necessary.
• Information is posted on InnPower Corporation’s website