Whether a tree near you has fallen against a post or powerline – or if it has simply grown tall enough this season to infringe on the wires – it can be pretty dangerous for a branch to touch an electrical component. Most local governments require that trees be maintained at a height that’s a minimum of 15 feet away from power lines.
The Danger of Touching Power Lines
Many people think that power lines are insulated. In reality, most of the power lines you see can conduct electricity through a tree to the ground. When a branch comes into contact with one of the wires, it can electrocute a person or animal that touches the tree. It doesn’t even need to be fully touching a wire. Being close to a downed wire can cause the electricity to arc from the line to the branch during an electrical surge. This may electrify the tree, or it can start an electrical fire that spreads rapidly throughout the tree, similar to a lightning strike. The tree may also drag the line to the ground if it sways or falls.
Who is Responsible for Cutting?
It can be confusing to determine who is responsible for having trees cut back. Power lines are usually strung along borders between privately owned lots and public access areas (like a road or easement).
Electrical companies have technicians who methodically visit all the power lines they own and note trees that are encroaching and need to be pruned. They do not need permission to enter your property if they find a tree that needs to be cut back. They will hire a professional arborist certified to work around electricity to prune or even remove the tree as they see necessary. While this service is at no cost to you, they are not usually obligated to remove the debris. That will be up to you to do in most cases.
Even though your property line may go all the way up to the road, the power line running along the sidewalk is considered to be along a public right of way (the road), so utility companies will take care of that themselves. For all the rest of the trees on your property, it is up to you as a homeowner to monitor them and have a professional tree crew keep your trees pruned back and remove dead branches. You should pay special attention to any growing near the service line from the central pole to your house. This decreases the chance that one of your trees’ limbs will break off and end up damaging a power line and removing your home’s electricity. It also minimizes the risk of fire or electrocution.
If you notice a tree encroaching within 10 feet of a power line that the utility company hasn’t pruned back yet, it is best to give them a call. They will be able to come quickly and confirm that the tree needs to be trimmed or not. Call an arborist or other certified tree trimmer to cut back the branches. It would be safest if you never attempted to cut the branches of a tree in contact with a wire yourself. If you do, you run the risk of cutting the wire or having a branch pull the wire down.
If you have any questions regarding electrical safety, be sure to ask a professional electrician. You should never risk your safety to rectify a situation that could be dangerous.
Promise Electric is a full-service professional electrical services company located in Sarasota, Florida.
