Right now: a tree is on power lines — treat it as deadly
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Assume every downed or tree-tangled line is live and deadly, even if it isn't sparking or humming — you cannot tell a live line from a dead one by looking.
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Stay at least 50 feet away and keep children, pets, and bystanders back; electricity can travel through the ground, so the danger zone extends well past the wire itself.
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Never touch the tree, the line, a fence, a puddle, or any car in contact with them — energized objects look completely normal.
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If you are in a vehicle that a line has fallen on, stay inside and call for help; only exit if it catches fire, and then jump clear landing with both feet together, never touching the car and ground at once.
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Call 911 and your electric utility immediately to report the downed line and get it de-energized — this is the single most important step.
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Then call 1 Tree Emergency at (866) 320-7003. We coordinate directly with the utility and remove the tree only after the line is confirmed dead.
This is the one tree emergency where doing nothing is the safe choice.
When a tree brings a power line down, the hazard isn't the tree — it's the electricity. A live conductor can push current through the trunk, the wet ground, a chain-link fence, or a parked car, energizing things that look completely ordinary. People are killed every year not by touching the wire but by stepping into ground that a downed line has energized. That is why the first job is distance, not action.
Only your electric utility can safely de-energize and confirm a line is dead. No tree company, no fire crew, and no homeowner should cut, pull, or approach a tree on a line before that happens — a chainsaw or a rope becomes a conductor the instant it bridges to a live wire. Reputable arborists don't touch it either; we wait for the utility.
What we do is coordinate that hand-off and then execute the removal correctly. We reach the utility, stage the site to keep people out of the danger zone, and once the line is confirmed de-energized and grounded, our certified arborists remove the tree and clear the way for service to be restored.
Site secured, utility de-energizes the line, then the tree comes off safely
We respond in minutes, not hours
Our network of certified arborists is on standby 24/7 to handle any tree emergency. From fallen trees to dangerous limbs, we provide rapid response to protect your property.
Why Choose Us
- Certified Experts
All our arborists are certified and fully insured
- Rapid Response
Average response time under 30 minutes
- Insurance Specialists
We handle all insurance paperwork for you
How our downed-line response works
Clear steps. Fast action. Zero guesswork.
How We Handle Your Tree Emergency
Our streamlined process ensures quick response and efficient resolution of your tree emergency
Step :Call After 911 & Utility
Once you've reported the downed line to 911 and your utility, call (866) 320-7003 — a live dispatcher takes the details and starts coordination.
Step :Utility Coordination
We contact and work with your electric utility to confirm the line's status and the plan to de-energize it before any crew approaches.
Step :Crew Dispatched
A certified arborist heads to the site with rigging and, where the pick calls for it, a crane. We stage outside the danger zone until cleared.
Step :Secure the Zone
We keep people, traffic, and bystanders back from the energized area while the utility does its work — no removal begins until then.
Step :Confirm De-Energized
Only after the utility de-energizes and grounds the line, and confirms it's safe, do we make our first cut.
Step :Safe Removal
With the line dead, our arborists dismantle and lower the tree off the wires and hardware in controlled sections.
Step :Clear for Restoration
We remove the wood and brush and clear the pole, drop, and right-of-way so the utility can restore service quickly.
What we bring to a tree-on-lines call
Utility Coordination
We know how to reach the utility, confirm de-energization, and time our work to theirs — the only safe way a tree comes off a live line.
Certified Arborists
Credentialed arborists who understand line clearance hazards, plan the dismantle, and refuse to work a wire that hasn't been confirmed dead.
Crane-Assisted Takedown
For trees loaded across conductors and poles, a crane lifts sections clear of the hardware without loading or dragging the lines.
Site Control & Documentation
We keep the danger zone clear during the wait and document the scene and damage for your insurer once the work is done.
Our removals are led by ISA Certified Arborists. Around downed or damaged power lines, always follow your electric utility and the Electrical Safety Foundation — never approach a line yourself.
Insurance and responsibility when a tree hits power lines
Responsibility often splits at the connection point. The service line running from the pole to your house — the service drop — is usually the homeowner's responsibility, while the lines from pole to pole belong to the utility. If the tree also damaged your home, garage, or other structures, that damage is typically covered by your homeowners policy, subject to your deductible.
The utility restores its own equipment and the line to your home, but repairs to the weatherhead, meter, or mast on your house are commonly yours to arrange. We document the tree, the affected structures, and the point of failure so you can sort out what your homeowners carrier covers versus what the utility handles — and we coordinate the removal so restoration isn't held up.
Learn more about our insurance claim support for tree damage — we document the scene and coordinate directly with your carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tree fell on power lines near my house — who do I call first?
Call 911 and your electric utility first to report the downed line — that's the top priority, because only the utility can de-energize it. Then call an emergency tree service like 1 Tree Emergency at (866) 320-7003. We coordinate with the utility and remove the tree only after the line is confirmed dead. Never approach the line yourself.
How far away should I stay from a tree on a power line?
At least 50 feet, and keep children, pets, and bystanders back too. A live line can energize the ground, fences, water, and vehicles around it with no visible warning, so the danger zone extends well beyond the wire. Don't touch anything near it and assume it's live until the utility says otherwise.
Can a tree service remove a tree off live power lines?
Not while the line is live — no reputable arborist will. The utility must de-energize and confirm the line is dead first, because any tool or rope that bridges to a live conductor carries current. We coordinate directly with your utility and only begin removal once the line is confirmed de-energized and grounded.
The line to my house is down but power is still on — is it safe?
No. A downed or tree-tangled line can remain energized even during an outage, and it can't be judged safe by looking. Stay at least 50 feet away, keep everyone clear, and call 911 and your utility. Do not touch the line, the tree, or anything they're contacting until the utility de-energizes it.
Who pays to fix the power line and the tree damage?
The utility restores its pole-to-pole lines and the drop to your home, but the weatherhead, meter, and mast on the house are commonly the homeowner's responsibility. Damage to your home or structures is usually covered by homeowners insurance, subject to your deductible. We document everything so you can sort out the responsibility split.
Related Tree Emergencies We Handle
Facing a different situation? We respond to every kind of tree emergency, 24/7:
What Happens Next
From the first call to a closed insurance claim, here's how we help:
From Our Blog
Practical guides from our certified arborists:
Get Emergency Help Now
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Get in Touch
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Contact Information
Location
254 Prospect Ave, Hartford, CT, 06106
Serving clients nationwide