Safety first: never touch or approach a downed or sagging power line, and never touch a tree or object in contact with one. Treat every wire as live, keep well back and call 911 and the electric utility.
Trees and electric lines are a dangerous combination, and they are an everyday problem in Salina, where mature trees grow alongside overhead lines in many neighborhoods. After the June 8, 2026 windstorm, which left about 35,000 Saline County residents without power and broke utility poles along Highway 4 near Gypsum, that risk was very visible. This guide explains what homeowners should and should not do.
Do not trim near lines yourself
Pruning a branch that is near or touching a line is not a DIY job. Electricity can arc through a branch, a ladder or a pole saw without direct contact, and wet wood conducts. Work near lines is done by trained line-clearance crews and the utility. Tree workers who are not qualified must stay well away from energized lines.
Who handles what
- The electric utility manages its own lines. In Salina that is Evergy, and it is the right call if a tree is on a line, growing into one or has pulled one down.
- A tree service handles trees that are on your property and away from lines, or that need work once the utility has made the lines safe.
- You are responsible for keeping people away and for calling the right people.
If you are not sure whether a wire is a power line, a service drop to the house or a phone or cable line, treat it as electric until the utility says otherwise.
What to do if a tree is on a line
- Stay far back. Many utilities advise 30 feet or more from a downed line.
- Call 911 for any downed line, and call the electric utility to report it.
- Keep others away, including children and pets, and do not drive over a line.
- Do not try to move the tree or the wire with a stick, a ladder or anything else.
- Wait for the utility to make the line safe before any tree work starts.
A tree growing into a line
A tree that is not down but is growing into or toward a line can fail in wind or ice and bring the wire with it. Call the utility to report it. Do not rely on a company that offers to just trim it, since line-clearance work belongs to qualified crews. A tree service can still help with trees near but not touching lines, by planning removal in sections that keep every piece clear of the wire.
Storm damage and lines
High wind loosens trees, and ice adds weight. After a storm, check for lines that are sagging, sparking or tangled in trees before you walk the yard. Salina has had repeated events, including the June 8, 2026 windstorm and an ice storm in 2007 that left more than 16,000 tons of debris. Any tree leaning toward a line after a storm should be reported. See emergency tree service in Salina KS.
Planning a safe tree removal near lines
When a tree near lines has to come down, the crew needs to know where every wire is and which can be de-energized or shielded. Expect questions about the lines, extra time and more rigging. That is normal and it is a sign of a careful crew. It can also affect price, as discussed in the tree removal cost in Salina KS guide.
Planting the right tree under lines
If you are replacing a lost tree, choose a species that stays small under lines and keep the planting spot clear of them. A fast-growing elm or cottonwood under a line is a future problem. Ask a local nursery or arborist for a small-statured tree, and call 811 before digging to have underground lines marked.
Common questions about trees and power lines
Can I trim a branch touching the line to my house?
No. The wire that runs from the pole to your house carries electricity, and a branch touching it can be energized. Do not cut it, pull it or lean a ladder near it. Call the electric utility and ask how they handle trees on service lines.
How far from a line should a tree be?
It depends on the line and on the tree’s mature height. The safe approach is to plant small-statured trees under lines and large trees well away from them, and to ask the utility or an arborist about your spot before you plant.
Will the utility remove my tree?
Utilities commonly prune trees to keep their own lines clear, but they may not remove a whole tree on private property, and policies differ. Ask what they will and will not do, and whether anything is needed from you.
A tree fell on a line and the power is out. Now what?
Stay away, keep others away and report it. The utility cannot restore power until the line and tree are made safe. If the tree is also on your house, call 911 and tell them. Do not attempt a cleanup until a professional says it is safe.
Need help with a tree in Salina KS?
If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Salina KS. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Salina KS homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Salina KS.
