Protect Your Home's Power: Essential Tips for Tree Trimming Near Power Lines

07.27.24 10:24 AM By Joseph Farley

Tree Puning Responsibity Near Power Lines

Overhead Electrical Lines

In North Texas, Oncor maintains these pole-to-pole wires, ensuring any trees or vegetation impacting these lines are addressed during routine maintenance, conducted year-round.

If you experience a power outage due to vegetation or notice arcing or sparking, stay a safe distance away and call Oncor immediately at 888-313-4747 to report the issue.

It is crucial to maintain a minimum of 10 feet of clearance from energized lines at all times. If you plan to prune or remove trees within this distance, call Oncor first at 888-313-6862 to submit an order for evaluation. Oncor will remove the portion of the tree that could contact our lines, allowing you to safely complete your work. Note that Oncor will not dispose of any brush or debris caused by this type of pruning.

Service Lines

These lines carry electricity from Oncor’s pole to your structure. Oncor does not trim trees by request for wires running directly to customers' meters; property owners are responsible for trimming or removing trees in the service wire between the pole and the house.

For safety, Oncor may need to temporarily disconnect service before you complete pruning. Oncor will either drop or de-energize your service wire and reconnect it once trimming is complete, leaving your home without power until the service line is reconnected. Call Oncor at 888-313-6862 to discuss your situation or request this service. Customers are responsible for all charges associated with this work.

If a tree has fallen on a power line, contact Oncor at 888-313-4747 so we can assist in making the area safe.

Communication Lines

If trees are affecting communication lines, please contact your local cable or telephone company. Oncor does not maintain these lines.


For more information, visit your wire company site. Below is Oncor's site. 

https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/about-us/vegetation-management-.html#accordion-4ac306a25b-item-db02c3142e