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Trees Near Power Lines in Folsom
Is a tree in Folsom resting on a wire, or growing up into one? Keep your hands off it. Call us after you've made the safety calls below. We'll work out who handles what, then book a local tree service in Folsom for your share.
Stay back first from power lines in Folsom
Wires can kill. A tree on a line can make the whole tree live. So the first move is to stay away and keep others away.
The weather service warns that power lines on the ground may be live. Do not go near them. A tree-care guide says the same: never go near downed lines, and never try to remove branches from or near power lines.
If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911. SMUD asks for the 911 call first, then a call to its line for sparking or downed lines at 1-888-456-7683.
Served by PG&E instead? That utility asks people and tools to stay at least 10 feet from lines. Folsom is mostly SMUD, but a few nearby places use another utility. Your bill will say.
Who handles what
Most Folsom homes get power from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Voters in the city joined it years ago, according to its history. That means the utility runs the poles and the wires over most Folsom streets.
The utility is in charge of the lines. It trims trees that grow into them. The utility says it needs about 12 feet of space between tree canopies and its overhead power lines. For fast growers like mulberry or eucalyptus, it may need as much as 20 feet.
It also does not need your okay. The utility says that by law it has to maintain its lines and keep them safe. If it needs to take out a tree because of a hazard, it will contact you first and it won't charge you for the removal.
Your part is the rest of the property. That means the tree trimmings, any branches that fall in your yard, and trees that are not on or near the lines.
Trees that touch the lines are not a do-it-yourself job. If you see trees that interfere with power lines, call SMUD at 1-866-473-9582.
What the utility cleans up in Folsom and what it leaves
After a storm, the utility will prune or cut a tree to remove a danger and bring the power back. That's the job. The utility also says the owner is responsible for the tree debris on their property.
That can feel unfair, but it's how it works. The crew makes the lines safe, and the wood stays where it landed.
We help with the leftovers. We find a local tree company who can cut up and haul what the utility left.
The pro still needs to stay clear of wires. For anything within reach of a line, the pro should use trained line crews or wait until the utility has finished.
What tree service near power lines in Folsom costs
Anything close to wires runs higher. The pro has to be careful, the pace is slower, and some jobs need a crane. These numbers come from guides, and they're a starting point.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Storm or rush job, wide spread | $450 to $5,000 |
| Sacramento-area rush charge | $1,084 |
| Trees 30 to 60 ft tall | $450 to $700 |
| Trees 60 to 100 ft tall | $900 to $1,200 |
| Crane lifts it out | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Cutting back from wires | $175 to $750 |
Price sources: Fixr's removal and trimming cost guides; Today's Homeowner, Sacramento.
A tree guide says a tree that hits a line can cause outages, surges, fires and other damage. That's the cost of waiting too long.
A hazard removal that the utility does itself costs you nothing, per its tree page. Work on your own tree away from the lines is on you. Ask your pro to split the quote that way so you can see it.
Things you can do before the next storm
Most of this is easy and costs nothing.
- Walk the yard and look up. Note any tree that is close to a wire.
- Keep plants at least 8 feet from the green metal transformer boxes. The utility asks for that room.
- Pull vines off poles. They are dangerous to line workers.
- Trim branches away from your house. The weather service suggests doing it before high winds.
- Call the utility about any tree that is growing into a line.
The utility checks its entire 900-square-mile service area on a 2-year cycle, so a tree can grow a lot between visits. A call helps.
How we help with tree service in Folsom
We don't touch wires and we don't tell you to. We answer, help you figure out which part is the utility's and which is yours, and find a pro for the yours.
We set up the visit and your pro gives you a price before work starts. You can ask for a second.
Folsom has tree rules of its own. Some trees are protected, and you may need a city permit. Check with the City of Folsom, then pass the answer to your pro.
What to tell us when you call
Give us the plain facts. Which wires are close, and how close. Is the tree touching them, or just near? Is the power out? Did you already call 911 or the utility?
It also helps to say whether the tree sits on your side of the property line, in the street strip, or on a neighbor's lot. Each one changes who has a say.
If you can, send a photo taken from far away. Zoom in on the wire, but don't walk closer to take it. A long shot tells the pro a lot, and it keeps you safe.
Wire questions
May I cut a branch close to the line?
No. Never remove branches from or near power lines yourself. Let the utility or a trained crew do it.
Who do I call for a tree growing into a line?
Call SMUD at 1-866-473-9582 if the utility serves you. Your bill tells you who your utility is.
Will the utility charge me to take out a hazard tree?
The utility says it won't charge for a removal it needs to do. It will contact you first.
The line is on the ground. What now?
Stay back and call 911. The utility's downed-line number is 1-888-456-7683. Don't touch anything.
See also emergency tree removal, storm cleanup and the towns we cover.