Trees and wires are the most common reason a simple pruning job isn’t simple. In Kirkland, Puget Sound Energy owns the lines, and who prunes what depends on which line it is. Kirkland Sentinel Tree Care sorts out the split, coordinates with PSE when needed, and only works near lines with the right precautions.
Whose line is it?
| Line | Who keeps trees clear | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution lines (pole to pole along the street) | PSE, on its maintenance cycle | Report a problem to PSE |
| Service drop (pole to your house) | Usually the homeowner | Ask PSE about a temporary disconnect, then hire a crew |
| Transmission lines (big towers) | PSE, under federal rules | Don’t plant or prune under them yourself |
| Phone / cable lines | That provider | Call them; lower risk but still not to be pulled |
Safety rules we follow
- Treat every line as live.
- No one but qualified line-clearance workers prunes within the minimum approach distance of an energized line.
- When branches are tangled in the service drop, PSE disconnects or drops it first; the crew works; PSE reconnects.
- After storms, downed lines mean 35 feet back and a call to PSE, before any tree work.
Stopping the problem coming back
- Prune in a way that directs growth away from wires (directional pruning), not by topping.
- Remove fast, tall species growing under lines: cottonwood, alder, Leyland cypress.
- When replanting, choose trees that mature under about 25 feet near overhead lines. The Kirkland tree rebate helps with the cost.
Street trees and wires
If the tree under the wires is a city right-of-way tree, pruning it beyond minor work needs a Public Tree Pruning or Removal Permit. See street trees.
Branches near the line to your house? Ask before anyone climbs.
(425) 000-0000Common questions
Will PSE trim trees near power lines for free?
Puget Sound Energy maintains clearance around its distribution lines running pole to pole, on its own cycle. The service line from the pole to your house is usually the homeowner's to keep clear, though PSE can often temporarily disconnect or drop it so a crew can work safely.
Can I trim branches touching my power line myself?
Don't. Electricity can jump from a line to a branch or tool, and tree work near energized lines is restricted to qualified line-clearance workers. Call PSE to ask about a disconnect, then a tree crew.
What if a tree falls on a power line?
Stay at least 35 feet away, keep others back, and call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911. Never touch the tree, the line or anything in contact with them.