Key takeaways
- The service drop from the pole to your house is the owner's responsibility, per NV Energy.
- NV Energy prunes trees that are growing into the clearance space around its high-voltage lines.
- OSHA says to assume all lines are energized, and workers must stay at least 10 feet from overhead lines up to 50 kV.
- Falling branches can break lines, which is dangerous.
- If a line is down or sparking, stay away and call NV Energy's emergency number.
If a tree is touching or near a line, the first call is to the utility and not to a saw. This guide explains who does what, where to send a request, and why the 10-foot rule exists. Battle Born Tree Service lists utility and structure clearance among its services, and we tell readers that NV Energy handles its own primary lines.
Who trims which line?
NV Energy's own brochure says it is the property owner's responsibility to keep trees clear of the electric service line, which runs from the pole to the house. NV Energy says it will prune trees that grow too close to the high-voltage lines that run from pole to pole.
The brochure adds that trees do not need to touch a line to need pruning, since they are pruned if they are growing into the clearance space, and that the clearance required increases as the voltage increases.
| Line | Who is responsible | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Service line, pole to house | The property owner | A qualified tree service, working with the utility as needed |
| High-voltage lines pole to pole | NV Energy | The NV Energy tree pruning request line |
| Downed, sparking or arcing line | NV Energy | Stay away. Call the NV Energy emergency line |
How do you ask NV Energy to look at a tree?
Use the request form at nvenergy.com/tree or the pruning request line. NV Energy's brochure lists (775) 834-4444 for Northern Nevada, and says it is always a good idea to call NV Energy to inspect any trees that grow close to any power lines.
For a line that is down, sparking or arcing, use the outage and emergency number instead, which the same brochure lists as (775) 834-4100 for Northern Nevada. Numbers can change, so confirm them on the utility's site.
Why not just trim it yourself?
Because contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of death for tree care workers, according to OSHA. Its pamphlet describes a landscaper electrocuted when a pole saw touched an energized line, and a tree trimmer electrocuted when a cut branch struck a line.
OSHA tells employers to keep workers at least 10 feet from overhead lines, more than that above 50 kV, and to assume all lines are energized at all times. The NV Energy brochure warns that attempting to prune or climb a tree near power lines can be dangerous, and that lines broken by falling branches can cause fire, shock or electrocution.
What can a tree service do near lines?
A tree service can handle trees that are at a distance from the lines and the service drop when the utility is involved. It cannot treat lines as someone else's problem and ignore them.
Battle Born lists utility and structure clearance among its services. We do not claim line-clearance certification, and NV Energy handles its own primary lines. Ask any company how it plans to work near a wire and whether the utility has been contacted.
What should you do after a storm?
Stay far away from any tree or branch touching a wire, even if it looks safe. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and then NV Energy. After that call a tree service.
If anyone is hurt, call 911. If a power line is involved, stay away and call NV Energy. Then call Battle Born's 24-hour emergency line at 775.232.8243.
Read the first hour checklist if a tree has hit the house.
Sources
- NV Energy: A Tree on Your Property (Tree Pruning Explained brochure, rev. 2017-05) (read October 17, 2026)
- NV Energy: Trees and power lines (read October 1, 2026)
- OSHA: Electricity and Tree Care Work, A Deadly Combination (OSHA 3861, 2016) (read October 17, 2026)