A tree branch touching or growing into a power line is a genuine hazard, not just a maintenance issue, and it’s not something to handle yourself. If a limb is actively resting on a line, treat it as an emergency and call both us and PSEG Long Island.
Why This Isn’t a DIY Trim
Trees near power lines carry two separate risks: electrocution from contact with a live line, and the chance that cutting the wrong limb causes the whole branch to fall onto the line, snapping it or pulling down the pole hardware. Utility-adjacent pruning also has specific clearance rules that a standard trim doesn’t follow — cutting too close or from the wrong angle can leave a branch that grows right back into the line within a season or two.
How We Handle Power Line Clearance
- We assess whether the line is a low-voltage service drop to a house or a higher-voltage utility line — these require different handling
- For anything touching a primary utility line, we coordinate with PSEG Long Island before cutting, since utility lines may need to be de-energized or the utility company may need to do that portion themselves
- We prune for long-term clearance, not just removing what’s touching today, so the same limb doesn’t grow back into the line next year
- We use directional cutting and rigging to control exactly where a limb falls when working this close to electrical equipment
What to Do If You See a Branch on a Power Line
Stay well back from the tree and anything touching the line, and don’t touch a fence, metal railing, or anything else in contact with the tree — electrical current can travel through it. If the line is sparking, smoking, or down, call 911 and PSEG Long Island immediately. For a branch that’s simply resting on a line without visible damage, call us and we’ll determine whether it needs an emergency response or can be scheduled.
Power Line Tree Clearance Cost
Utility-adjacent pruning typically runs $300 to $1,500 depending on tree size, the number of limbs involved, and whether utility coordination is required. Emergency after-hours response for an active hazard carries a premium over scheduled work.
Power Line Tree Trimming FAQ
Who’s responsible for trimming trees near power lines, me or the utility?
PSEG Long Island is generally responsible for clearance on their main utility lines, but the tree itself, if it’s on your property, is still yours to maintain. We can coordinate with the utility when a job involves their equipment.
Is it dangerous if a branch is just resting on a line, not tangled in it?
Yes, contact alone can be enough to energize the branch and anything touching it. Treat any contact between a tree and a line as a hazard until it’s been assessed.
Will trimming near power lines cause an outage?
Not if it’s done correctly. We plan cuts and, when needed, coordinate with the utility specifically to avoid contact with live equipment during the work.
Call (631) 663-7940 if a tree is touching a power line anywhere in Islip.