If a tree or branch is touching a power line, stay far away and keep everyone else away too. Don’t touch the tree, the branch or the line, and call your electric utility right away, or 911 if a line is down, sparking or on fire.
Trees and power lines are a dangerous mix. Only the utility or qualified line-clearance crews should work near energized lines.
Why It’s So Dangerous
Electricity can travel through trees and branches, especially when they’re wet. Touching a tree that’s in contact with a line, or even standing close to it, can be deadly.
Downed lines may still be energized even if they aren’t sparking or making noise. The ground around a fallen line can also carry current, so keeping a wide distance matters.
Who to Call
Call 911 if a line is down, if there’s fire or sparking, or if anyone has been hurt. Then contact your electric utility. In the Joplin area, Liberty Utilities’ emergency line is 1-800-206-2300.
If a branch is resting on or growing into a line but nothing is down, still call the utility. Tell them exactly where the tree is and what you can see. They can decide whether the line needs to be shut off or cleared.
What Not to Do
Don’t try to move the branch with a pole, rope or anything else. Don’t cut the tree or trim nearby branches, and don’t use a ladder near the line.
Don’t drive over downed lines, and keep kids and pets indoors or well away from the area. If a line falls on your car while you’re inside, stay in the vehicle if you can do so safely and call 911.
Hiring a general tree service to work near energized lines isn’t the right first step either. Most tree crews need the utility to make the area safe before they can start.
After the Utility Makes It Safe
Once the utility has cleared the line or cut the power, there may still be tree work to do. The tree may have damaged limbs, a split trunk or debris spread across the yard.
At that point, a crew offering emergency tree services can assess the tree, remove broken branches or the tree itself if needed, and clean up. For damage that isn’t urgent, it may be possible to schedule the work within the next few days.
It also helps to watch trees near lines throughout the year. If you notice branches growing toward a line, report it to the utility before they reach it rather than waiting for a storm to force the issue.
If a tree on your Joplin property is close to a power line and you’re unsure what to do, call the utility first, then reach out to a local tree service once the line is safe to discuss what the tree needs.
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