Residential Tree Trimming

Trees and power lines don't mix. When they touch, it can cause everything from power outages, fires and downed lines, to safety hazards for people, wildlife and even the trees themselves.

To help keep power lines safe, PSNH has trees near power lines pruned on a regular, rotating schedule. During this time, branches are cleared or certain trees are removed from around power lines before they have a chance to damage property, cause outages or compromise safety.

To help ensure public safety and minimize power outages in your neighborhood, PSNH hires a professional tree pruning company to prune the trees in residential areas. Pruning is one of the most important means of maintaining and improving tree health and doesn't harm trees when proper arboricultural techniques are followed. And because keeping power lines safe is our responsibility, there is no cost to home owners.

Trees are pruned to create the following minimum safe distances between the electrical lines and the surrounding trees:

Any limb extending within 8 feet of the electrical line will be cut back. Because proper pruning requires cutting at certain points, branches will be cut at a main branching point, or at the trunk, leaving no stub. Sometimes this may mean the branch is cut more than 8 feet from the wires but it helps preserve the health of the tree.

Trees 10 inches in diameter or less at chest height located less than 8 feet from the nearest wire may be removed. Any limb above the wire to a height of 15 feet will be removed. Certain main branches on older trees can remain inside of the minimum clearance, but this depends on the health of the tree, direction of growth and likelihood of its limbs reaching the wires.

Species located under the line and recognized as fast growing will be removed. Slower growing species will be left if they have a minimum of 10 feet of clearance to the nearest primary conductor.

Slow growing trees include:
Oak, Hemlock, Cedar, Sugar Maple, Norway Maple, Hickory, and certain other species.

Fast growing trees include:
Pine, Poplar, Birch, Cherry, Red Maple, Ash, Silver Maple, Willow, and certain other species.

Pruning limbs against pole-to-house lines
PSNH will remove branches or limbs in direct contact with PSNH wires located between a PSNH pole and the house only when trees or branches are directly rubbing on PSNH service wires. Service wires are insulated for leaf and occasional branch contact, but hard rubbing can eventually damage the wires. Please call PSNH at 1-800-662-7764 for more information on removing branches against your service wire.

Removing pole-to-house wires for Tree Contractors
Homeowners can hire professional tree pruning contractors for pruning work near these lines. PSNH may temporarily remove pole-to-house lines for professional tree contractors so they can prune or remove trees safely. Please call PSNH's Construction Services Support Center at 1-800-362-7764 for more information on "dropping" your service wire.

Remember, the electric lines running from the utility pole to your house are energized and can be dangerous. Don't go near these lines or attempt to prune trees or branches around them!