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Tree Removal Near Power Lines in Diamond Springs
Tree leaning toward a wire at your place in Diamond Springs? Call (530) 429-7647. We'll help you figure out whose job it is, and if it's yours, we'll get a local tree pro out to you.
Not every wire is the same
This is the part most people don't know. There are three kinds of wires on a pole, and different people look after each one.
Power lines up top
PG&E's distribution lines usually run along the top of wood poles. They carry power through the neighborhood. PG&E works on clearance around these all year. Its target is 18 inches around the wires in normal areas, and 4 feet in High Fire-Threat Districts. PG&E says it trims past those minimums too.
So if a tree is growing into the top wires, call PG&E first. Their number for tree hazards near lines is 1-800-743-5000.
Phone and cable lines in the middle
Lower down are the lines for phone, TV and internet. PG&E says each of those companies looks after its own lines. Call the company on your bill if a limb is sitting on one.
The wire to your house
The wire from the pole to your house is called the service drop. PG&E says keeping it clear of plants and dead or hazard trees is the property owner's job. That's you.
Now the good news. PG&E will turn off your power for a short time so work can happen near that wire, and it's free. You ask for it through their start and stop service page. Your tree pro can tell you when to set it up.
Why this is a storm problem out here
Wind is the big one. A limb that's fine on a calm day can swing into a line in a gust. The weather service's own advice before high wind is to trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
When a tree hits a line, it's more than a lost evening of TV. The ISA says it can cause power outages or surges, and fires. In oak and pine country on a dry day, that last part is what keeps people up at night.
Dead trees are the other worry. After the Caldor Fire there are still a lot of dead pines in the hills. A dead tree near a line can come down in a storm without much warning.
What the work involves
First comes the question of who. PG&E says only trained, line clearance qualified people should work near power lines. That rules out most homeowners and plenty of tree folks too. Ask any pro straight out if they're qualified to work near lines.
If it's the service drop, the usual plan is to get the power shut off for a bit, take the limbs or tree down, then get it turned back on. That takes some planning between you, the pro and PG&E.
The pieces come down small and get lowered with ropes, so nothing swings into the wires. A big tree near lines may need a crane. Fixr's guide says felling a tree where electrical lines are around can create a hazardous situation, and cranes help in those spots.
The ISA's advice for homeowners is short. Never try to take branches off or near a power line yourself, and never go near a downed one.
What it costs
Work near lines costs more than the same tree in an open field. It's slower, and it may need a crane. Cost guides give these ranges:
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Trimming limbs, near the service drop | $175 to $750 |
| Small tree, up to 30 ft | $150 to $400 |
| Medium tree, 30 to 60 ft | $450 to $700 |
| Large tree, 60 to 100 ft | $900 to $1,200 |
| Crane job | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| PG&E temporary service disconnect | free |
| PG&E clearance on its own lines | PG&E's job, not yours |
Sources: Fixr tree removal and tree trimming guides (2025); PG&E vegetation management page (2026).
These are base prices. Expect a bump for the extra care near wires. Your pro gives you the real number after they see how close the tree is.
Why call us
Half the job here is knowing who to call. We help you sort that out on the first call. If it's PG&E's line, we'll tell you so, and you won't pay anyone for work that's theirs to do.
If it's your service drop, we look for a pro near Diamond Springs who does that kind of work and set up the visit.
And it costs you nothing to ask.
Step by step
- Stay back. If a tree or limb is on a line, call 911 first.
- Look at which wire it is. Top, middle, or the one to your house.
- Top wire? Call PG&E. Middle wire? Call that phone or cable company.
- Your service drop? Call us at (530) 429-7647.
- We set up a visit with a local pro who can work near lines.
- The pro gives you a price and tells you when to ask PG&E for the free shutoff.
- The work happens with the power off, then it gets turned back on.
Power line questions
Who pays to clear trees off the main power lines?
PG&E keeps clearance around its distribution lines. Call them at 1-800-743-5000 for a tree hazard near those lines.
Who pays for the wire from the pole to my house?
You do. PG&E says owners keep the service drop clear of plants and dead or hazard trees. They'll shut the power off for free so the work can be done.
Can I cut a limb off the line with a pole saw?
Please don't. Leave anything touching a line to people trained for it.
My area is in a High Fire-Threat District. Does that change anything?
PG&E's clearance target on its lines goes up to 4 feet there, compared to 18 inches in normal areas. For your own trees, the county's defensible space rules still apply.
Already down on something? Head to emergency tree removal in Diamond Springs. Want a check on a tree before it's a problem? Book a hazard tree assessment. Or see storm damage cleanup.