By Hometown Tree Experts
A branch is rubbing the wire that runs to your house. Who do you call? Most homeowners in Burtonsville and across Montgomery County think the power company handles anything near a power line. That is only half right. The utility keeps its main lines clear. The wire from the pole to your house can be a different story. That is where most of the confusion starts. Here is how tree trimming near power lines works in Maryland, who handles which wire, and how to get the work done safely.
Not every wire on the pole is the same job
Look up at the pole near your house. The wires at the very top carry the most power. These are the main lines. People also call them primary or distribution lines. They run from pole to pole along the street or across back yards.
Lower on the pole, one wire usually runs from the pole to your house. That is your service line. It is also called the service drop. It connects to the electric meter on your home.
This matters because the rules are not the same for each wire. When we get a call about a tree near a power line, the first thing we check is which wire the branches touch. That one answer decides who does the work and how it gets planned.
Pepco and BGE keep the main lines clear
In most of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, your electric company is Pepco. In Howard County and much of central Maryland, it is BGE. Both have to manage trees around their lines. The Maryland Public Service Commission sets the rules. They are in the state regulations at COMAR 20.50.12.09. They came out of a rulemaking known as RM43.
Under that rule, a utility on a four year cycle has to work through all of its distribution lines every four years. It has to reach at least 15 percent of its line miles in the first year. It has to reach 40 percent by the second year and 70 percent by the third. The rule also says the utility’s tree work has to follow the standards for Maryland Licensed Tree Experts.
The rule protects homeowners, too. Before planned trimming on a property, the utility has to notify the owner or the person living there. The notice has to come at least 7 days before the work. It can come no more than 120 days before. If the utility plans to remove a tree on a home property, it has to contact the owner to talk about it first.
The City of Hyattsville puts it plainly for its residents. It says Pepco is required to maintain clearance in and around power lines for a four year period. So if branches grow into the main lines at the top of the pole, that is the utility’s job. That is true even when the tree is in your yard.
The wire to your house may be yours to keep clear
This is the part that surprises people. BGE says tree limbs near pole to house wires are kept up by the property owners who own the trees. In other words, the main lines are BGE’s job, but the branches around your own service line are yours.
You are still not meant to do it alone. BGE says that when it reviews tree work near its equipment, it may de-energize the lines or give clearance so the work can be done safely. It also asks you to allow 7 to 10 business days for a BGE representative to contact you after you request tree and vegetation services. So plan ahead.
If Pepco serves your home, call Pepco before any work near your service line. Ask who handles the branches near that wire and how the line will be made safe for the tree crew. Get that answer first. Then schedule the trimming.
Here is what that means on the day of the job. We plan the trimming around the utility. If the utility turns off or disconnects your line for the work, your home will be without power until it is back on. Pick a day when that is not a problem. Tell us about anything in the house that has to stay running.
Why this is not a do it yourself job
A pole saw can make it feel like you are far enough away. You are not. The ANSI Z133 safety standard for tree work says workers without the right electrical training may not come within 10 feet of an energized line. That 10 feet counts more than your body. It includes your tools, your equipment, and your clothing. A branch you cut can also swing or drop into a wire as it falls.
The City of Hyattsville tells residents that pruning tree limbs next to power lines is dangerous. It says residents should not try to prune any tree that is touching a utility wire. We agree. If a branch is resting on a line, keep people and pets away from the tree and call a professional.
A line on the ground is an emergency. If a wire is down or a tree has fallen on a line, stay far away. Keep everyone else away. Call your utility or 911 right away. Do not try to move the tree or the wire.
What happens after a storm
Storms are when most tree and wire problems show up. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel explains how the work is split. The utility is responsible for removing fallen trees from power lines after storms. The property owner is responsible for cleaning up the fallen tree debris.
In plain terms, the utility clears the tree off the wires so the power can come back on. What is left in your yard is usually yours to handle. That includes the trunk and the limbs on the ground. It also includes broken branches still hanging in the tree over your house or driveway. That is where a tree crew comes in.
How we handle tree trimming near power lines
Every job near a wire starts with the same questions. Here is how we work through it:
- We find the wire. Is the tree touching a main line at the top of the pole, or your service line to the house?
- We give you the honest answer. If the problem is a main line, that work belongs to Pepco or BGE. We will tell you so.
- We plan around the utility. If it is your service line, the job is set up so the utility can make the line safe first.
- We trim for the tree, not just the wire. A tree that is hacked back to clear a line often grows back fast and weak. We make proper pruning cuts so the tree stays healthy.
- We clean up. The wood and brush leave with us, so your yard is clear when the job is done.
Plant so this does not happen again
The best fix is to plant the right tree in the right place. The Arbor Day Foundation says never to plant a tree that will grow taller than 25 feet right under power lines. The same goes for the area within 20 feet of the line that runs from pole to pole. It also gives a simple rule of thumb. Plant a tree as many feet away from the line as it will grow tall. A tree that will reach 35 feet should go about 35 feet from the line.
Many of the big trees in the wires around here were planted decades ago. Back then, few people thought about how tall they would get. When we trim one of those trees, we look at the whole tree, not only the branch near the wire. When you plan something new for your yard, we can help you pick a spot that will not become a problem later.
If branches are crowding the wire to your house in Burtonsville, Silver Spring, Laurel, or anywhere in Montgomery, Howard, or Prince George’s County, our tree trimming service can plan the job around your utility and get it done safely. The team at Hometown Tree Experts is ready to take a look. Reach out to us and we will take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Trimming Near Power Lines
Does Pepco or BGE trim trees near my house?
They trim around their main lines. Those are the wires at the top of the pole that run along the street or through back yards. Maryland’s rule, COMAR 20.50.12.09, requires utilities to manage trees along those lines on a set cycle. The wire from the pole to your house can be different. BGE says the property owner keeps tree limbs clear of pole to house wires. If Pepco serves your home, call Pepco and ask how it handles your service line.
Who is responsible for the wire from the pole to my house?
For BGE customers, the tree owner is. BGE says tree limbs near pole to house wires are kept up by the property owners who own the trees. BGE also says it may de-energize the lines or give clearance so tree work can be done safely. Pepco customers should call Pepco before any work near the service line and ask who handles it.
Will the utility tell me before it trims trees on my property?
Yes. Under COMAR 20.50.12.09, the utility has to notify the owner or the person living there before planned trimming. The notice has to come at least 7 days and no more than 120 days before the work. If the utility plans to remove a tree on a home property, it has to contact the owner to talk about it first.
Can I trim branches near a power line myself?
You should not. The ANSI Z133 safety standard says workers without the right electrical training may not come within 10 feet of an energized line. That distance includes tools and equipment, not only your body. The City of Hyattsville also tells residents not to prune any tree that is touching a utility wire. If a branch is on a line, keep away and call a professional.
How far from power lines should I plant a new tree?
The Arbor Day Foundation says never to plant a tree that will grow taller than 25 feet right under power lines or within 20 feet of the pole to pole line. A good rule of thumb is to plant a tree as many feet from the line as it will grow tall. A tree that will reach 35 feet should go about 35 feet away.