Even the most beautiful tree can become a serious hazard when it grows too close to power lines. In fact, trees are the leading cause behind power outages and devastating wildfires in California¹. Whether a branch is touching a service line or an entire tree has fallen during a storm, these situations can put your community at risk. But who exactly is responsible for managing these risks?

In this guide, we explain who handles tree maintenance around power lines, what to do if you spot a potential hazard, and share tips for safely handling emergency situations.

Who Is Responsible for Trees Near Power Lines?

Utility line clearance is essential for keeping you and your home safe. It also ensures we have consistent access to electricity.

Utility line clearance is a professional process that involves pruning, trimming, and removing trees or vegetation so they don’t interfere with power lines. But who is responsible for what?

• Utility companies are responsible for trimming and removing trees near power lines. 
• Property owners must cooperate with utility companies when tree maintenance is needed on their property. This may include granting access or allowing work to be done on trees near power lines. 
• Certified arborists can assist by evaluating the health of your trees, identifying potential risks, and directing you to the appropriate resources for power line safety. 

Let’s take a closer look at what these responsibilities entail. 

Utility Company Responsibilities 

Utility companies are required by law to maintain specific clearances between power lines and trees¹. This clearance varies depending on the amount of voltage running through the lines. 

Utility company responsibilities include: 

• Trimming or removing any vegetation that encroaches clearance around power lines 
• Following strict local, state, and federal regulations for clearance requirements 
• Responding to emergencies involving trees and power lines 
• Clearing downed lines and restoring power after incidents 

Sometimes companies may approach property owners directly and request to trim hazardous trees on their property. Cooperation in these instances is key because it keeps the community safe and protects you from potential liability issues.

In Sonoma County, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is in charge of our power lines. 

Property Owner Responsibilities 

While utility companies are ultimately responsible for all power lines, property owners can take steps to maintain trees on their own land to prevent interference. 

Below are some things you can do to mitigate vegetation risks on your property: 

• Cooperate with utility companies when they request access for trimming 
• Report potential hazards to the appropriate authorities 
• Schedule a tree risk assessment with a certified arborist to identify any factors that may put your trees at risk of failure (falling) 

Remember, while there are steps you can take to reduce risks, the burden of power line safety is ultimately on utility companies. 

How Arborists Help Maintain Trees Around Power Lines

Only line clearance certified tree workers are permitted by law to be within a certain proximity to energized wires. However, arborists can help keep your trees healthy and guide you toward the right resources in the event of an emergency. 

Below are some examples of how arborists help maintain trees around power lines: 

• Tree risk assessments: An arborist can carefully evaluate a tree’s health and growth patterns to determine if it is at risk of failure (falling). They will identify concerns like damage, disease, or other issues that may compromise its overall stability before recommending solutions. 
• Tree trimming and pruning: An arborist can strategically prune branches to remove encroaching limbs before they interfere with power lines. 
• Ongoing tree maintenance: Through health checks, damage evaluation, proactive pruning, and more, arborists can provide trees with ongoing care to keep them healthy and safe to have around. 

When dealing with trees and power lines, staying proactive is key to mitigating risks—but you should never prune trees near electric lines all by yourself. If there are trees on your property growing a little too close to power lines, contact your utility company to address the issue and reduce potential hazards.

What to Do If a Tree Falls on a Power Line 

If a tree falls on a power line, this is an emergency situation and it’s important to respond promptly and with caution: 

1. Call 911 first. 
2. Live trees can conduct electricity. Assume all downed wires are live and dangerous. Even the ground around fallen power lines can become energized, so keep others away from the area, including pets. 
3. If you’re indoors, stay inside and avoid going near windows or doors. If you’re in a vehicle near downed lines, stay inside the vehicle until professionals arrive. 
4. Contact your utility company to report the downed power lines. Be sure to keep their emergency number readily available. 
5. Wait for professionals to handle the situation; never try to remove or trim the tree yourself. 

When to Call the Utility Company vs. When to Hire an Arborist

Although arborists and utility companies both help handle issues with trees and power lines, they have unique responsibilities. In some situations, it may be more suitable to call one versus the other—but they are both great resources for answering questions about utility clearance concerns. 

When to call the utility company: 

• Trees are touching power lines 
• You see downed power lines 
• Trees are near high-voltage transmission lines 
• You’re unsure who to call 

When to call an arborist: 

• Trees on your property need preventative maintenance 
• You need expert advice on tree health 
• For regular risk assessments and pruning 
• Trees growing near service lines need attention 
• You’re unsure who to call 

Emergency Tree Care Services in Sonoma County 

Navigating trees and power lines can be stressful, but you’re not alone. Although the arborists at Vintage Tree Care can’t assist in all things related to power distribution, we can certainly guide you toward the proper resources. 

For years, the certified arborists at Vintage Tree Care have provided Sonoma County with expert tree care services, from pruning and removal to risk assessments and more. If you are ever worried about a tree growing too close to a power line or any other tree-related concern, we’re only a phone call away. 

Contact us online or call our office at (707) 495-4686 to get in touch today.

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References 

1. Tree Trimming and Vegetation Management Information. (n.d.). California Public Utilities Commission. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/safety/electric-safety-and-reliability-branch/electric-and-cip-audits-introduction/tree-trimming-and-vegetation-management-information