What You Should Know About Trees & Your Electric Service

Utility line clearance refers to trimming, pruning, maintaining, removing, or clearing of trees and other vegetation that is near power lines.

Each utility establishes a unique set of minimum clearance guidelines to comply with regulations outlined by local, state, and federal authorities. Only professional, certified arborist utility specialists are qualified to perform line clearance duties around energized lines.

What Does Davey Do?

Davey’s line clearance team works directly with utility companies to trim or remove specific trees that have been identified by work planning crews.

We also hear from homeowners about a variety of other concerns—requests for wood chips, left behind debris and property damage, and unsafe driver behavior. Rest assured our team is using the most efficient trimming techniques and will communicate with you on any work done on your property. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to make it right!

If you have concerns about trees near power lines on your property, reach out to your utility provider. Typically, the customer service number can be found on your energy bill. For tree care beyond the power lines boundaries, contact your local Davey office.

Brush Removal

Who Is Responsible For Trimming & Removing Trees Around Power Lines?

Electric utilities are responsible for trimming and removing trees around power lines. Utility companies are required by strict federal and state regulations to ensure trees, branches, and other vegetation near power lines are trimmed and maintained to minimize electrical hazards and reduce power interruptions.

Your trees may not be physically touching the wires, but they must still be pruned to proactively reduce any risk of coming into contact with the power lines from high winds, ice/snow weight, or even uprooting in storms.

Trimming around power lines

What Is The Difference Between Utility Line Clearance & Homeowner Tree Services?

Utility line clearance work has different forms of tree care insurance, training requirements, and qualifications than homeowner tree services.

Utility companies approach tree care and vegetation management with different goals than a typical homeowner, and Davey line clearance crews must follow the utility’s contract specifications about pruning, the scope of work, and site clean-up.

Storms

Why Do You Say That Davey’s Homeowner Tree Services Are Not In My Area When I See Their Trucks?

Davey’s crews may be in your area. However, you have most likely seen trucks from our utility crews who are contracted by your utility providers. These crews do not provide residential services. You can visit the website of the International Society of Arboriculture to locate a certified arborist in your area who can help you with your needs.

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