Trees near power lines can shock you, start fires, or cut power to your street. Therefore, you must never cut them yourself. Instead, call your utility company first, and then hire a licensed local crew. In Brookhaven, Cliburn Woodwork handles these jobs safely.
Keep reading to learn the safe steps and common mistakes. You will know how to protect your home and family.
How To Remove Trees Safely Near Powerlines?
A tree may lean toward the lines after a storm. Its limbs may grow too close, and so tree removal service may appear to be the only safe option.
Call your utility company.
Your first call should go to your power company. Brookhaven homes are served by groups like Entergy Mississippi and Magnolia Electric Power. They clear trees near main lines for free. Fast growers like loblolly pine can add two feet a year, so they check often.
Who is responsible for trees near power lines?
The utility handles trees near main lines. You are usually responsible for trees near the service line that runs to your house.
Hire a Local Tree Care Company
Some work falls outside what the utility covers. That is when you need a trained local crew. Mississippi storms often split water oaks and sweetgums. A good crew knows how these trees break. They use bucket trucks, ropes, and insulated tools to keep limbs off the wires.
What to Look for When Hiring A Tree Service Company?
Not every tree crew is ready for power line work. Check these points before you hire:
- Licensed, bonded, and fully insured
- Trained arborists on the team
- Strong Google reviews from locals
- Free written estimates upfront
- Proper gear and bucket trucks
- Cleanup included in the price
Clear the drop zone.
Limbs fall fast and hard. A large oak branch can weigh hundreds of pounds. Move cars, grills, and lawn chairs away from the tree. Keep kids and pets inside. The crew needs open ground to lower each piece with control and without damage to your yard.
How to Deal with Debris in an Eco-Friendly Way?
- Turn branches into mulch for garden beds
- Use cut logs as firewood
- Ask your crew to haul and recycle the rest
Keep ten feet away.
OSHA says untrained workers must stay at least ten feet from overhead lines. Higher voltage lines need even more room. Power can jump through a wet limb or a metal ladder. Pecan and pine limbs hold water after Mississippi rains, which makes them more dangerous.
Will insurance pay for tree removal near powerlines?
It depends on your policy. Most pay if a tree falls on your home or blocks access. Removal of a healthy tree is rarely covered.
Never touch downed wires.
To maintain safety, you should treat every fallen line as live. Wires can stay charged even when the power seems out. After a storm, a fallen pine or oak may pin a line to the ground. It’s recommended to stay at least 35 feet back. Call 911 and your utility company right away.
What Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Trees Close to Power Lines
Power line work leaves no room for error. Cheap or rushed work can cost you far more than a fair price.
- Doing It Yourself: Cutting near live wires without training can lead to serious burns or death.
- Skipping the Utility: Your power company may handle the job free, so always call them first.
- Hiring Uninsured Crews: If an uninsured worker damages your home, you may pay the full repair bill.
- Using Metal Ladders: Metal carries electricity, so it can turn a simple trim into a fatal accident.
- Waiting Too Long: Dead or leaning trees get weaker each storm season and fall without warning.
Contact Cliburn Woodwork for Expert Tree Removal Service
Our arborists know how trees grow and when they are stressed. We spot weak limbs and fix problems early. Near power lines, we use bucket trucks, ropes, and insulated tools, and follow strict safety distances on every job. We offer tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, debris hauling, and emergency service. Call (601) 327-3266 today for your free estimate.