Nelson treescape gets more than a hair cut

Nelson’s tree-lined streets are getting a trimming … in fact for some that’s an under-statement.

Nelson Hydro is midway through their city wide cutting back of limbs and branches a minimum of 3-metres from power lines.

Line Manager Doug Pickard says the 3-metre gap is the industry standard and where their highest voltage loop line goes the cut back is 5-metres.

He says it’s all about public safety.

The aesthetic result is many old trees that look decidedly bare but Pickard adds the arborists are also addressing poor trimming practices from decades ago.