What to Do When You See Trees Touching Power Lines to the House |

Did you know that homeowners don’t require a permit to remove a tree that poses a safety risk to themselves or others? The average cost of removing a tree branch touching a power line to a house ranges between $200 and $760.

In the case of trees touching power lines, homeowners should contact their power utility provider to sort the issue.

However, some service providers can delay before taking action, which is why there are emergency tree removal experts.

The cost of cutting tree limbs touching the power line can be costly for some. Even so, homeowners are advised against addressing the issue on their own.

This post explains what you should do when there is a tree branch on the power line to the house.

Who Is Responsible for Removing Trees Touching Power Lines?

According to the National Electrical Safety Code, it is the responsibility of electric utility companies to trim trees touching power lines. Although, if the tree is on residential property, the homeowner has to cater for the costs of trimming trees around power lines.

Electric utility companies conduct such maintenance during their yearly rounds (every 6 to 12 months). However, if the tree is touching a power line, the homeowner is responsible for its removal.

Call Your Power Utility Company

The first thing that a homeowner should do is call their electric utility company. They are responsible for trimming trees touching power lines and should be left to deal with the issue.

When trees come into contact with a power line, the current passes through its tissue to the ground.

At this moment, anything that touches the tree becomes a conductor, including humans.

The current passes through the conductor with disastrous effects, especially for humans and nature. For example, power lines associated with PG&E were responsible for starting wildfires in 2017 and 2018.

Trimming the Tree by Yourself

Homeowners are advised against removing a tree branch on the power line on their own. This is mainly because of the safety risk associated with the task.

However, some situations can call for immediate action to prevent any damages to property or save lives.

If you opt to remove the tree by yourself, estimating the tree branch’s weight is the first thing to evaluate. After that, confirm that the branch is not stuck on the power lines.

If the lines are stuck, you have no option but to wait for your power utility company to arrive. Alternatively, you could also hire the service of a local tree trimming company.

Save Time and Reduce Damage with P’n’D Logging and Tree Service

Homeowners are expected to regularly trim their trees to be at least 15 feet from the nearest power line. However, it is common for homeowners to forget about grooming their trees.

This leads to trees touching power lines or other types of utility lines.

At P’n’D Logging and Tree Service, we offer estimates for residential, commercial, and municipal customers for all trees touching power lines removal.

Our highly trained crew offers damage prevention with corrective measures in selective cutting and pruning.