Power Lines and Tree Trimming

[ceyko]

Along my back property line (That borders with other people's property) there are power lines running along it. I have several pine trees that are starting to grow into it pretty heavily.

I was curious whose responsibility it is to trim those trees back from the power lines. Google shows many different stories and I ASSUME it would be the power company's job due to safety. However, I was checking in here to see if anyone knew for sure, or does it vary from city to city...etc...etc?

[Chas_svo]

The utility companies have right of ways. They usually ask or put a notice on the door to warn you or give you a chance to protest, but I'll assure you, they can completely remove trees in their ROW no matter your opinion.

Also, most never have budget for this, so good luck. If you trim them yourself, be careful, not only of the power lines, but of the liability. If you cut a limb and it takes out any service, they can come after you.

[ceyko]

Also, most never have budget for this, so good luck. If you trim them yourself, be careful, not only of the power lines, but of the liability. If you cut a limb and it takes out any service, they can come after you.

I'd rather not - I don't have the equipment to get up that high, with a chain saw. I can live with a power outage until they repair it (would affect a fair amount of homes), but do not want to be liable for it. Also, rather not pay for a tree trimming service - cause as you mentioned - even if the service breaks something it's game over. Plus, some of the trees are starting to take over transformers.

I will probably call them to give them a heads up and opportunity to be proactive. (Plus the opportunity to tell me it is all me.)

[ceyko]

I'm an idiot. Googled did not work but going to GCEC's site was straight forward, called and they have a service ticket open.

[Samhain]

I'm an idiot. Googled did not work but going to GCEC's site was straight forward, called and they have a service ticket open.

Keep an eye on them if you can. I've watched them hack nice mature trees into stumps.

[ceyko]

Keep an eye on them if you can. I've watched them hack nice mature trees into stumps.

Yeah, we're concerned about that - but it'll be the wife and not much we can do about it.

[GrayStangGT]

If they trim trees like oncor does here, you do not want them trimming your tree if you want it to look nice when they are down. They will literally just cut a giant L out of the side of the tree where the power lines are running.

For example lol

[dcs13]

I'm an idiot. Googled did not work but going to GCEC's site was straight forward, called and they have a service ticket open.

I have GCEC as well. They have always been great to deal with. Prices are a lot cheaper than TXU thats for sure.

[KBScobravert]

If they trim trees like oncor does here, you do not want them trimming your tree if you want it to look nice when they are down. They will literally just cut a giant L out of the side of the tree where the power lines are running.

For example lol

That tree is fucked. You wait till thd first big storm it will be in that living room. All the weight on one side and a huge flat spot for the wind to catch.

[Cenae]

Yes this can be said negligence of the workers who are cutting this tree from one side.

[Chas_svo]

Keep an eye on them if you can. I've watched them hack nice mature trees into stumps.

This is true.