Trees Near Power Lines: Why You Should Never DIY

A tree growing close to power lines can look harmless, but it's one of the most dangerous situations on any property. Every year, people are seriously injured trying to trim or cut trees near electrical lines on their own.

Here's what you need to know before touching a tree near power lines.

Electricity Can Jump

You don't have to touch a power line to get hurt. Electricity can travel through branches, ladders, poles and tools, and it can arc through the air to anything close enough. Safety experts recommend staying at least 10 feet away from overhead lines at all times.

Trees Don't Always Fall Where You Expect

Large trees are heavy, and their weight isn't always balanced. A tree with a lean, a double trunk or heavy branches on one side can twist or fall in the wrong direction. Near a road, a house or power lines, a mistake can cause major damage.

Branches Can Cause Outages and Fires

Branches touching power lines can cause outages, sparks and even fires, especially during storms and high winds. Keeping trees away from lines protects your home and your neighbors.

How Professionals Handle It

A professional tree service plans every step before the first cut:

• Site assessment: checking the tree's condition, lean and distance from lines, roads and buildings.

• Safety gear: hard hats, high-visibility clothing, chainsaw chaps and eye and ear protection.

• Traffic control: setting up cones and warning signs when working near a road.

• Controlled cutting: removing the tree in sections or directing its fall to a safe area.

• Proper equipment: using loaders and grapples to move heavy logs and brush safely.

• Coordination with the utility company: when a tree is in direct contact with power lines, the utility company must be contacted first.

What You Should Do

If a tree on your property is growing into power lines, don't try to trim it yourself. If a branch is already touching a line or a line is down, stay far away and call your utility company right away.

For trees close to lines, roads or structures, Ivy Tree Service has the crew, equipment and safety practices to get the job done right.

Have a tree too close for comfort? Contact Ivis Tree Service to request an estimate.