TL;DR:
- Trees near electrical power lines pose serious safety risks, and responsibility for trimming them falls on utility companies.
- Homeowners should never attempt to trim trees near power lines themselves, contact the electric company or a certified ISA arborist instead.
- Follow electrical safety precautions, such as the 10-foot rule, avoiding ladders near power lines, and preventing children from climbing trees close to live wires.
- When planting trees, choose dwarf or compact species that won’t grow into power lines.
- In case of emergencies, such as fallen branches on power lines, call your utility company or 911 emergency services immediately.
Jump to: Safety Tips for Trees and Power Lines in Portland, OR, Considerations for Trees and Power Lines in Portland’s Urban Landscape, Emergency Tree Trimming Around Power Lines Near You in Portland, OR
At first glance, trees may seem entirely safe. Indeed, trees often symbolize stability in ancient myths. However, trees can be extremely unsafe in certain circumstances. As our regular readers will recognize by now, poorly cared-for trees are more likely to fall in a severe storm. Electrical power lines also complicate the safety of trees. In this post, we discuss what Portland homeowners should know about trees that are placed near high-voltage power lines and who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines. We also talk about electrical safety issues that can occur and the safety precautions that homeowners should consider. We include tips for considering the location of power lines when selecting and planting. Finally, we touch on what to do in emergency tree/power line emergency situations.
Safety Tips for Trees and Power Lines in Portland, OR
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- Wondering who is responsible for trimming trees on power lines? Electric utility companies are responsible for trimming and maintaining trees near high-voltage power lines. They will professionally prune around the power lines on a regular maintenance schedule. It’s also worth noting who is responsible for trimming trees near cable lines and that it is also the responsibility of the utility company. Never attempt to trim a tree that has grown into live power lines. In some cases, the utility company may call for the removal of a tree that has grown too close to power lines. If you’re concerned that a tree is growing too close to a power line, call your utility company as well as our Portland-certified ISA arborists. We would be happy to schedule an expert advisory visit.
- High-voltage power lines are not insulated; if you touch one it could kill you. This also includes branches that are touching a power line. When in doubt, call the electric company first. Do not touch live bare wires or branches that are against the bare wire. Prevent children from climbing trees that are near electrical power lines. Also, observe the mandatory 10-foot rule, don’t attempt to work on any tree that comes within 10 feet of a power line. Instead, call us for professional Portland tree services. Our certified arborists are thoroughly informed on how to safely prune around energized power lines.
- Never put a ladder against a live power line.
- Any time you prune, be sure to observe professional basic safety guidelines. Make sure that you are working on a steady, level surface, including any ladders. Don’t try to remove large branches while working from a ladder. Instead, break up the branch into smaller chunks. If you have trouble working from a short ladder, call a certified pro instead. Don’t over-extend; don’t work past your comfortable height.
- Wear adequate protective safety protection while conducting Portland tree pruning. You should always wear eye protection. You should always wear eye protection. Ear protection is also needed when working with power.
- Dead or diseased limbs can be removed immediately. Don’t worry about the season. (But do mind the safety cautions listed above.)
- Keep the equipment sharp, practice making proper pruning cuts (not cutting into the branch collar), and don’t worry about sealing your pruning cuts. If pruning is done properly, trees are very good at sealing over their own injuries. Learn how to identify the proper branch collar, and where to make a proper cut, such as above the branch collar, but without leaving a stub. Be careful not to injure or cut through the branch collar. If you still have questions about professional tree trimming, Portland Fruit Tree Project offers affordable tree care workshops (which Urban Forest Pros hosts from time to time).
Considerations for Trees and Power Lines in Portland’s Urban Landscape
If you’re thinking of planting a tree one thing to consider is to never plant a tree under a high-voltage power line. Research how large your tree will be at full maturity prior to tree planting. Portland’s extended growing season will allow trees to thrive, so it’s important to choose the right dwarf or compact species for the available space. Ensure that any species you plant will not grow too large and that they will not grow into nearby electrical power lines. Here’s a short list of utility-safe trees that under normal conditions are short enough to be planted under distribution power lines: Trident, Amur, Paperbark, and Tartian Maples; Flowering Dogwood, Hawthorne, Bristlecone Pine, Honeysuckle, Sumac, Juniper, Rose Acacia.
The following large-growing plants grow too tall and should never be planted under power lines: Silver or Norway Maple, Oak, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce, and most pines.
Emergency Tree Trimming Around Power Lines Near You in Portland, OR
When it comes to trees near power lines, one common question is, “who is responsible for tree limbs on power lines?” In most cases, the responsibility for tree limbs on electrical power lines falls on the utility company to safely trim trees and remove any branches that pose a risk to the power lines. The emergency phone number for Portland General Electric (PGE) is 503-228-6322 and for Pacific Power and Light (PP&L) it is 1-888-221-7070. However, if you notice a tree or branch leaning on a high-voltage line, it’s crucial to call the power company immediately at the numbers provided above. For life-threatening electrical emergencies, it’s best to call 911.
In the event of a storm or severe weather, it’s also important to take appropriate measures if a tree falls onto a live wire. If you notice a fallen tree or branch on a wire, it’s important to take immediate safety measures to minimize potential costs associated with damages. This includes calling your electric company as well as a qualified arborist. Here at the nearby Urban Forest Pro, we have extensive experience in safely removing fallen branches and trees from a variety of precarious situations. You can trust us to remove hazardous trees safely while minimizing the damage to your Portland property.
If you have concerns about trees near power lines, don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility company or a qualified arborist for expert guidance and support. Together, we can ensure a safe and healthy environment for all. Put our number in your phone so you can get a hold of us quickly following storm emergencies.
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