Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Why a power company may remove a tree near power lines
Safety & reliability risks: Trees that can contact energized lines (now or soon) create shock, fire, and outage risks—even without touching; electricity can arc to nearby branches under certain conditions.
wapa.gov
Transmission corridor rules: High-voltage transmission lines must keep mandatory clearances at all times; utilities must prevent any vegetation “grow-ins” that could cause faults, so hazard trees in the right-of-way are removed.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
+1
Right-of-way/easement obligations: If a tree is inside the utility’s easement, the utility is required to maintain that corridor for safe operation—which can mean removal when pruning won’t keep required clearance.
National Grid
Why a power company may not remove the tree
Pruning is enough: On neighborhood distribution lines, many cases can be handled by pruning to an approved clearance instead of removal (following ANSI A300 pruning standards).
Pembroke Pines
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Outside their responsibility: For low-voltage service drops (the small line to a home), many utilities—including National Grid in Upstate NY—do not prune/remove; the homeowner typically hires an arborist while the utility temporarily drops or makes the line safe.
National Grid
+1
Location/ownership limits: If the tree is outside the utility’s right-of-way or municipal permission, they may lack authority to remove it; they’ll recommend private pruning/removal instead.
National Grid
Quick guidance for homeowners (Buffalo & WNY)
If the tree threatens street/transmission lines, contact your electric utility first.
If it’s by your service drop, schedule a certified arborist; we’ll coordinate with the utility to de-energize or drop the line during the work.
National Grid |
Reel Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Whether the utility company covers tree trimming or removal depends on the exact location of the tree and the type of power line. If the tree is interfering with primary power lines (those that run from pole to pole on the street), the utility company will usually handle the trimming or removal. However, if the tree is affecting service lines (the ones that run from the street to your home), you're typically responsible as the property owner. It's best to contact your local utility provider before taking any action—they can assess the situation and let you know what they will or won’t cover. |
Clean Green Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Only if your tree limbs are interfering with the main primary lines of it just the line going to your house from the primary no u are responsible but your in luck with us we are insured and experience with removal of limbs and trees in this type of hazards |
Absolute Tree Worx Inc. |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: The power line is on the homeowners property so typically they are responsible utilities do not normally pay anybody |
Clear view tree service |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: Not on the power lines connected to your house but the main ones, yes. |
Mike's Mowing |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: They will cut back off of power lines and Customer will be responsible for the rest. |
All In One Tree And Lawn LLC |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Never Explanation: They do tend to keep the lines clear but we hate how they do it because it ends up killing the tree |
M & S Tree Service |
Answer: Never Explanation: Only when it’s outside of owner property |
Bishop handyman service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation:
The responsibility for trimming or removing trees that are disrupting power lines on your property typically falls on the property owner. Utility companies are responsible for maintaining the power lines and infrastructure up to a certain point, usually the point where the lines connect to your property. Beyond that point, it's generally the property owner's responsibility to ensure that trees and vegetation do not interfere with the power lines.
Here are a few important points to consider:
Utility Easements: Check your property's deed and any utility easement agreements. These documents may specify the rights and responsibilities regarding vegetation near power lines.
Safety Concerns: Utility companies prioritize safety and reliability. If trees on your property are posing a significant threat to power lines, the utility company may notify you and request that you take action to trim or remove the trees. Failure to address these concerns could result in power outages or safety hazards.
Costs: Generally, the property owner is responsible for the costs associated with tree trimming or removal to clear power lines. This can include hiring a professional tree service like Liberty Tree Service to perform the work.
Professional Tree Services: It's advisable to hire a professional tree service with experience in dealing with trees near power lines. They can safely trim or remove trees while adhering to safety standards and local regulations.
Permits and Regulations: Check with your local municipality regarding any permits or regulations related to tree removal or trimming near power lines. There may be rules in place to ensure that the work is done safely and without causing unnecessary harm to the trees.
In some cases, utility companies may offer assistance programs or incentives to property owners to encourage tree trimming or removal for the purpose of maintaining clear power lines. However, these programs can vary by region and utility company.
To determine t |
Liberty Tree Service |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Always Explanation: The utility company will actually come and trim them. |
D&B Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Adolfostreeservice.com |
Adoflo's Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: If call enough they will |
Design by Lopez |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: Usually they come out butcher your trees and they usually die |
Yardmaster |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: It depends on the power company, city or cable providers, we always tell our cus6to reach out to them first to see if they can do it to they can save the money of not having to pay for something that can be done for free. |
Certified Tree Care |
Answer: Not sure Explanation: Usually, your power company with trim them because of hazardousness. |
DAVIS LAWN CARE AND MORE |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: It really depends on different factors (safety concerns, which wires, and location). |
Tree Guys Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: It is highly likely that a utility company will remove it themselves if the tree is endangering a power line. They probably won't pay for it for you though - they would just remove it themselves. |
Red Lodge Home & Tree LLC |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: If the trees are in the power lines call utility company and explain and they should send out a crew to take care of the tree for you at no charge. Report dead trees around the lines also. |
Jc Lawn Care, LLC |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Always Explanation: The power company will prune trees away from the main wires, but not your service line to your house. |
Wichita Tree Service |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: If the lines they are touching are hot wires, then they will remove them... if not,they will tell yoo to call a tree service if you want them removed |
Florida Landscape & Lawn Care, LLC |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Depending on the location of these trees will determine that. If it is close to the road this yes. If not then no. |
TH Lawn and Maintenance Service |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: most coops will typically take care of trees around services, power companies rarely do |
The Tree Guy |
Answer: Usually Explanation: Most utility companies will pay to keep the lines clear. If your tree is rubbing power lines please call the company, your neighbors hate power outages as much as you do.
We will not work on trees that are touching power wires. It's dangerous. We can remove the tree or do significant pruning after the wires are clear. |
TORRISON TREE SERVICE |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: This depends on your utility and we can call and check for you after we give you a FREE QUOTE! |
Renewable Tree Service |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: Power companys as a rule have a special crew or a company contracted for this job. |
Desert Oasis Tree Service |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: Main powerless are covered by the utility. The lower communication lines are not cleared by the power company wires to your home must be cleared by you if they are within 10 feet of the wires a line certified arborist must be used for safe removal to avoid injury |
Mr Falls Tree Experts |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: They have to be on a main road |
HIATTS TREE Experts |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Usually Explanation: It is usuall the owners responsibility to trim the drop line from the pole. |
Lance Fink Tree Falling/Removal |
Answer: Never Explanation: Trees that are grown on your property are your responsibility. If the trees were on city property then the city would at that time get involved. However, the city workers have several jobs going on day to day so do not expect a fast response. |
Three Men Lawn |
Answer: Never Explanation: The way the utility company sees it as it it's in your property it's your problem I have had several customers Alpine tell me that they had to leave the company said there is nothing they can do about it because it's in their property |
Carders Tree & Landscaping |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: Utility companies sub this type of work out, and with limitations. They will trim from around the wires only, and never will they remove a tree. Often the trees are not left in the most appealing way. Should you hire a professional on your own, please make sure they are trained and certified in line clearance. If they are not, please opt for a company that will work in conjunction with the utility company. |
TREEology, Inc. |
Answer: Usually Explanation: If the tree is disrupting the power lines, they will send their contracted company to come out and only remove those branches affecting the power lines. |
CMS TREE SERVICES |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: The power company generally does not care about service lines on private property. They find it cheaper (or more convenient) to take care of the tree after it causes power failure. But it never hurts to contact them. |
Catawba Stump Grinding |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Not sure Explanation: I think they contract out a company to do it for them. |
M&G Lawncare |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: The utility company will pay it will have them removed or tops to get them away from the power line |
Markley mowing n more |
Answer: Usually Explanation: Usually power company's have a contracted company that trims tree's from the utility lines on a schedule. I am sure they would trim them if they were going to cause a problem in-between |
Black Dirt Services LLC |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Always Explanation: They cut down to below power lines at no charge so you can safely have tree cut down by a landscaping company |
Three Sisters Landscaping |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: I believe it depends on how far the tree is onto the property whether it falls on the town or power company to take care of. |
Foley Landscape Services |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: Unless is a real hazard...because is is not... they wont doit |
3G's Lawn care, landscaping & snow removal |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Always Explanation: Tree companies typically perform this task. However, their techniques are not to preserve the health and integrity of the tree. |
Outdoor Designs |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: only if it is pole to pole not house to pole |
Country Club Services L.L.C. |
Answer: Usually Explanation: as for how long it's going to take them to actually get out there and do it probably better off calling the tree company |
Webster's Lawn care |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: We have had customers call power company and request their help sometimes they do and others they don't it varies |
White Oak Landscaping & Lawn Care, inc |
Answer: Usually Explanation: depends on municipality |
ECT Contracting LLC |
Answer: Rarely Explanation: It will be a long wait till they come out and service this |
White Valley Tree Services |
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ProMatcher |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: depends on time in budjet |
h.c.lawn& fence |
Answer: Sometimes Explanation: They will remove them if it's a main line or on there right away. If it's from the pole to your house you are responsible for the trimming. |
C & R Mowing LLC |
Answer: Not sure Explanation: I do not know the answer to this. |
Down To Dirt Stump Grinding |
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ProMatcher |