I realize this may be a completely stupid question, but I think my husband, who is an engineer, is playing a joke on me. He says that the magnetic field from power lines will prevent a tree from growing into power lines, and that the branches will actually grow around and away from the lines, avoiding them all together. I say this is not true, because I've seen work crews out cutting branches around power lines. Is he playing a joke on me, or is this a true phenomenon, and if so, can you please provide scientific basis for your explanation?
2007-12-18 03:53:01 · 9 answers · asked by inoffensive nickname 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
he is totally bs'n you
Look at it this way.... The Earth has it's own magnetic field. (It is what keeps solar energy from cooking us. You can see it when looking at the Northern Lights.) And it is millions of times stronger than any power lines could ever emit.
Totally natural occurrence.
And you yourself answered your own question... Why do the maintenance guy always have to cut down branches around power lines???
2007-12-18 03:56:18 · answer #1 · answered by USMCstingray 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There isn't a magnetic field from power lines-- at least not the ones that run to your house or beside the highway. Tree branches can grow around them. If the branches are not trimmed back, a limp can actually enclose the wire. You have to remember that the wires are already coated in plastic or another casing. If the wires were just raw medal with power running through them, rain would cause a big problem for the power company.
Besides, if there was such a field, how could birds sit on wires?
2007-12-18 03:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by EJ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have seen lots of crews working to keep trees from growing around power lines. I have seen power lines that have vines growing along them. I bet he is trying to play a joke on you.
2007-12-18 03:57:30 · answer #3 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's totally messing with you. :)
As you've seen, power companies regularly trim the trees around power lines so the branches don't touch the lines.
2007-12-18 06:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by Wayner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is of course a magnetic field associated with power lines, but I think someone is having fun pulling your tail. Wish I'd thought of it lol. Now it's your turn to get him back somehow.
2007-12-18 11:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by busterwasmycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would stroke his ego, and tell him that he's completely right.
Trees don't grow around power lines.
Power lines grow around trees!
Happy holidays!
2007-12-18 04:13:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they do not grow around power lines (at least not the residential type). they grow up and into them if not trimmed.
if it were true, i would think that there would have been a reference in the first page of searching and there wasn't
http://www.google.com/search?q=tree+growth+power+lines&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=lP0&start=0&sa=N
2007-12-18 04:00:40 · answer #7 · answered by Act D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, not true, trees don't actually grow around powerlines, they will just grow right thruough them...
2007-12-18 04:04:51 · answer #8 · answered by Kick 455 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's pulling your leg.
2007-12-18 04:02:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋