why don't they just plant trees instead of putting in telegraph poles?

Question

surely with global warming etc, wouldn't it be more environmentally friendly to have a bit of foresight and plant trees instead of putting up more telegraph poles?

Answer 1

The best answer is none of the above. It is cost-effective in installing new systems to put them underground. You don't get the visual obstructions, in a world of GPS locating lines is a piece of cake, and maintenance workers don't have to climb or access poles standing tall in the air, so it's safer in that respect.

Others have already answered your question in a more straightforward fashion. I just wanted to add this thought in the mix.

Answer 2

In theory, that's a great idea. However, in practice, the utility companies don't have the time to plant the thing, then wait the necessary number of years for the tree to grow tall and thick enough to take the weight. They need to put it in, and put it to use, right now. Plus, the branches can cause short circuits (in power lines) or break the wires (in phone lines) when they are swung around by the wind in a storm. Further, as the tree grows, it may carry the wire higher with it, stretching the wire to the next pole/tree or to the house connection. Interruptions in service will get customers angry and cost much to repair. Utilities want to avoid such headaches.

Answer 3

Lovely idea but not the best idea for all the reasons everyone else has said. I agree with it being better all ugly lines are channelled underground so as not to spoil the environment with eyesores. However, if they must use the poles above ground then I think they could make better efforts to make them blend in better. They call could them telephone trees, its made from tree, so looks like tree, but it does not grow anymore and is stable so everyone is happy! I think similar for street lighting too. Big ugly grey things most of the time. And while in some places its ok, in others, it does not blend in and I think planners could design something that would blend in more naturally with the surroundings. And whatever else is going on or not, there is no excuse for not planting more trees anyway.

Answer 4

Telegraph poles? Like light poles? Its a matter of safety and ease of maintenance.

Branches often can break telephone and electrical wires in high winds or after heavy snows etc. As well its harder to get access to the wires and sometimes junctions or boxes through tree branches.

Many places do however plant trees, some places more than others.

Personally I prefer when the wires are buried.

Answer 5

You have to put the phone lines on something and just so you know I'm pretty sure they don't use telegraphs anymore they use telephones a telegraph uses morse code. They should plant new trees after they take one up for use but they can't use a live tree for the telephone pole.

Answer 6

They usually don't have time to wait 20 years for the trees to grow up enough to support the wires. And trees need to be watered, while poles don't.

Answer 7

They are made from trees. So whats your point? Just consider them trees without branches. The last time I looked comcast's Internet line was coming to my house from one of them there poles. Without which we could not ask dumb questions on yahoo answers.

Answer 8

Trees continue to grow at different rates. Eventually the wire will stretch and break. Not to mention that they are more difficult to climb in order to install and fix cables.

Answer 9

A TREE would get in the way of the wires

Answer 10

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