Never trim, climb or cut near a power line yourself. Assume every line is live, including the one running to your house.
Two kinds of lines
| Distribution lines | Service line (service drop) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The main lines on poles along the street or through backyards | The single line from the pole or transformer to your house |
| Who trims around it in Chattanooga | EPB, through its vegetation management program | You, the property owner, with your own tree crew |
| Cost to you | None | You pay the tree crew. EPB lowers and reconnects the line for free. |
How EPB handles its lines
EPB says it prunes trees that could threaten power delivery, and that safety codes require it to prune trees within 10 feet of high-voltage lines when they could grow into them. Its crews prune for clearance, not for looks, so a tree can end up lopsided or with a V cut through the crown. If that leaves a tree unbalanced or weak, a private crew can reshape it or, if needed, remove it.
EPB crews and contractors have an EPB decal on their vehicles and wear EPB ID badges. If someone says they're working for the utility and wants payment, ask for ID and call EPB to confirm.
Getting a tree near your service line trimmed
- Get a quote from a tree crew and set a date.
- Call EPB (or your Georgia provider) to schedule a temporary disconnect of your service line for that date. EPB does this at no charge.
- The crew trims or removes the tree while the line is down.
- The utility reconnects your service.
Planning ahead matters. Disconnects usually need to be scheduled, so build that into the date.
Planting near lines
The best fix is not planting tall trees under lines in the first place. Under or near overhead lines, choose small trees that top out under about 25 feet, like redbud, dogwood or serviceberry. Plant tall shade trees well away from the lines.
Common questions
Will EPB remove a tree on my property for free?
EPB prunes trees that threaten its main distribution lines. It generally doesn't remove trees, and it doesn't trim around the service line to your house. That part is the property owner's job, though EPB will lower the service line for free so your crew can work.
Can I trim near the line myself?
Don't. Contact with a line, or with a branch touching a line, can kill you. Even the service line to your house carries enough voltage to be deadly. Have the utility disconnect it, and hire a crew.
A limb is lying on my service line. Is that an emergency?
If the line is down, sparking or sagging badly, yes: stay away and call your utility. If a limb is just resting on the line, call the utility to schedule a disconnect, then have a crew remove the limb.
What about the Georgia side?
In Catoosa and Walker counties, you're likely served by Georgia Power or North Georgia EMC, depending on your address. Each has its own trimming program and service-line policy. Call the provider on your bill.