Electricity is off... trees are down!

Power outages are usually caused
by trees, so plan ahead

Bad news!
Here is a power outage waiting to happen... a weak Lombardy Poplar growing close to overhead utility lines.

Topped and dropped These trees were "topped" to keep them out of utility wires. Perhaps the line clearance personnel would remove them instead, then you could plant a hedge or some small growing trees in their place.

People don't like having power interruptions, or being without power for an extended period of time. For some it can create a medical emergency. Especially when their heat is off and the phone is out of order. Refrigerated foods risk spoilage. No email.... gasp!
  

Like a sail in the wind Evergreens often have less roots than most people think. Thinning their branches, to allow wind to pass through, will help them survive wind storms.

I'm old enough to remember when utility companies used to go onto residential property to clear power lines, for free. That practice was eliminated in our area over 20 years ago, probably to save money. That puts the onus on property owners to prevent their own utility line problems.
  

All busted up This Bradford Pear was damaged by a strong summer storm. Solution: Remove it and plant a better variety of tree.

Everyone has heard the catch phrase, "Plant the right tree in the right place." By doing that, you may save yourself from future power outages. If you do plant under utility lines, be sure to use trees that stay small and don't grow up into wires. Start trimming trees when they are young.
  

Super Sprouts Instead or removing this Silver Maple, the homeowner decided to have it "topped." This tree's structure is permanently ruined, with weak, fast growing sprouts at every "topping" cut. Removal would have been the better option.

The second piece of advice would be to remove "The wrong trees in the wrong place." We've all planted trees that got larger than we thought they would, but the trouble comes when they have the ability to knock down power lines, under the weight of snow or ice. I would suggest "biting the bullet" and removing these trees. Plant something in their place that won't put you in the dark during the next wind or ice storm. You'll be glad you did.
  

Not much you can do Freezing rain and ice are the bane of trees and shrubs.

Plant the right tree in the right place, and remove the wrong trees in the wrong places before you are forced to do so.

   Bob