Ask the News - March 31

When tree limbs are getting entangled in the power line running from the pole to my house or building doesn’t the power company come to trim those away?

The quick answer is “no.”

“The line that runs from a pole to a customer’s home or business is referred to as a service drop, and tree trimming around this line is the responsibility of the customer,” Xcel Energy’s senior media relations representative Wes Reeves wrote in an email.

Reeves noted there is an exception.

“If a tree branch falls onto the service drop, which is considered an immediate safety hazard,” Reeves wrote about the company tree trimming.

Reeves noted trimming trees away from overhead power lines is both a safety precaution and a way to prevent power outages.

“Xcel Energy contracts with a tree-trimming service to cut branches away from its primary distribution lines running down alleys and along streets and roads. Xcel Energy will take care of this at no charge.

“Customers wishing to perform preventive tree trimming around the service drop should contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999 to have their service temporarily disconnected (while the work is done),” Reeves wrote.

Thom Moore, Director of member services for Farmer’s Electric Cooperative wrote things are much the same for his company on the matter.

“We or our subcontractor will trim trees that are dangerously close to our power lines up to the electric meter. Beyond the meter is our member’s responsibility,” Moore wrote in an email.

“This would include power lines in the utility right-of-way and over private property,” Moore wrote.

Do you have a question for the News? Call 575-763-3431 or email:

[email protected]