Tree branches are growing into power lines. What should I do?

Trees growing into power lines are a serious safety hazard that causes thousands of power outages annually and can create life-threatening electrocution risks. However, you should never attempt to trim branches near power lines yourself.

Critical safety warning:

• High-voltage power lines can arc electricity through the air — you don't need to touch them to be electrocuted
• Wet branches, metal ladders, and pole pruners are excellent conductors
• Even "insulated" lines may not be — what looks like insulation is often weatherproofing that provides no electrical protection
• Contact with primary distribution lines (the highest wires) is almost always fatal

Who is responsible for trimming?

• Utility company responsibility: In most areas, the electric utility is responsible for maintaining clearance from their power lines. They typically operate on a 3-5 year trimming cycle.
• Homeowner responsibility: You generally own the tree and are responsible for branches not affecting utility lines — including phone, cable, and service drop lines (the line from the pole to your house).
• Service drop lines: These lower-voltage lines running to your house are less dangerous than primary lines but should still be handled by qualified professionals.

What to do:

1. Call your electric utility to report the situation. Most utilities have a vegetation management department and will trim for free around their lines.
2. Do NOT wait if branches are actively contacting lines, sparking, or if a line is sagging — call the utility's emergency line or 911.
3. If you want proactive pruning, hire an arborist who is line-clearance qualified — they have specialized training and equipment for working near energized lines.
4. Consider the long term: If the tree will perpetually conflict with lines, discuss options with the utility. They may offer to remove and replace the tree with a species that won't grow into lines.

For more on tree safety assessments, visit Is My Tree Dangerous? and Signs a Tree Might Fall.