Reporting a tree branch on an electric line

[debodun]

I see a large tree branch hanging by a fork on a power line on my way to church. It has been there for months. I am surprised no one had reported it. I finally did and the replay was simply, 'Thank you for bringing it to our attention." That was 4 days ago. I passed by on my way to Honda today and it's still there. I asked Google how long it takes to respond to branches on wires. This the answer:

It may take several months (reports suggest up to 3 months or longer) to get a response or see crew activity, as they work on a scheduled, multi-year, or circuit-based cycle.

 

[robin416]

If it's not a threat to the power they put it on the back burner. If it's a threat, like crossing lines or excessively heavy. Usually they come right out.

Wood isn't a good electrical conductor so a fire is probably not going to be an issue.

 

[OldFeller]

My father had a large tree by the curb out front of his city house. It was uprooting the concrete. So he called the city to ask to have it removed.

They came out 5 years later to remove it....long after he had forgotten his request.

 

[debodun]

Wood isn't a good electrical conductor so a fire is probably not going to be an issue.

But the branch can sway in the wind and rub against the power line and short it out. That happened to me and a neighbor when I was in my former house. I called the power company, but being Sunday, they said since no one else had reported in outage, so it was likely a problem in my house and to call an electrician. Try to get someone on a Sunday.

In the afternoon, my neighbor came home from wherever he'd been and a few minutes later my doorbell rang. He asked if I had power. I said I hadn't and added that if he called it in, they would have to send someone. About 2 hours later, the utility truck pulled up on the back street and was there for about an hour. When he was done, he told us that a branch had rubbed on a power line and shorted out a circuit. It only affected me and my neighbor - that's why no one else had reported it..

 

[robin416]

If a branch is still connected to a tree it can cause damage. One laying on a wire is much less likely to do anything at all.