Pruning alone allows you to pay attention to your own work without being distracted by others, Runyan said. You may not see when someone else is jeopardizing your safety. High-reach saws and trimmers pose an obvious hazard when used around electrical power lines. Runyan recommends that orchard managers mark areas where power lines run through trees. This alerts workers to avoid these areas or to be careful and look up around power lines.
Homeowners can call the local power company for help with pruning around power lines.