Woody brush in power line easement

[KennardTexasUSA]

Hi all,

The south border of our property (~2,600 feet) is a utility easement alongside a county road.   There is a nice mix of native grasses and forbs growing in the easement plus some woody brush like Yaupon and young sweet gums.    I think my best bet is to cut down the sweet gums one by one and stump treat them.   The Yaupon is multi stem but still small so I’ll spray it.    Do you have a recommendation on herbicide to control brush in this situation?   I can’t burn it because of the power poles/lines.





Thanks

160 acreas - Houston County, Texas

[Ron Wenrich]

I did some utility line work here in PA.  The utility took care of the vegetation underneath the power lines.  I know the gas lines are mowed, but most utilities have contract crews that come out and do the herbicides or cutting.  They're on about a 5 yr rotation.  TX utilities may be different.

[RPF2509]

I  agree with Ron.  Usually the power company is responsible for vegetation that can intrude on the lines and have contract crews take care of it.  You may be biting off more than you need to by doing it yourself.  A call to your local power provider would be warranted before you get in too deep.  Usually someone patrols the lines every year to look for maintenance items.  A call will confirm if this has been done and where your line is on the schedule for maintenance.

[Ron Scott]

Yes, the power company usually manages the vegetation within their easement across the private property unless the easement says otherwise. In some easements the landowner may retain the rights to manage the easement vegetation for garden crops, hay, wildlife shrubs and grasses, etc. 

Check your easement to see what it says on any surface management specifics.