Protecting Your Power Starts at Home
Trees and power lines don’t mix. Unmanaged branches can cause power outages, electrical hazards, and even property damage when they come in contact with live power lines. For Texans, especially during storm season, proper tree management is one of the simplest ways to help prevent power outages before they happen.
Who Handles Tree Trimming Near Power Lines
Each Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) in Texas maintains professional tree trimming programs that follow ANSI A300 Pruning Standards, recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture.
These utilities employ trained crews to trim trees safely, protecting both property and the electric grid.
Texas TDUs and Their Tree Trimming Contacts:
- CenterPoint Energy – Houston and surrounding areas
Call 713-207-2222 or 1-800-332-7143 | Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Trees - Oncor Electric Delivery – Dallas–Fort Worth, North Texas
Call 888-313-6862 | Visit Oncor.com/Outages - AEP Texas – South and West Texas
Call 866-223-8508 | Visit AEPTexas.com - Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) – Gulf Coast and North Texas communities
Call 888-866-7456 | Visit TNMP.com
No matter where you live, your TDU, not your retail electric provider, is responsible for maintaining clearance around power lines.
When and How to Request Tree Trimming to Prevent Power Outages
If you notice trees growing too close to electric lines, call your local TDU. They’ll inspect the area and determine if immediate trimming is required or if it will be scheduled as part of a routine maintenance cycle. Tree trimming performed to maintain safety and/or reliability (prevent power outages), is typically provided at no cost for existing electrical facilities.
Making a quick call can help prevent outages and ensure that the necessary work is completed by professionals who are trained and adhere to strict safety standards.
Safety First- Never Trim Near Power Lines Yourself
It’s illegal and extremely dangerous for untrained individuals to trim or remove trees next to energized power lines without coordination with the utility.
Only authorized utility crews have the training and equipment to work safely around live wires. Even minor contact with a power line can cause severe injury or death, so please always call your TDU before conducting any work near live power lines.
Who Removes the Debris
TDUs typically remove debris created by their trimming operations the same day or shortly afterward, with the property owner’s consent.
After storms, property owners are responsible for clearing fallen trees or storm debris once power service has been restored.
This allows utilities to focus first on restoring power quickly to other homes and businesses.
Prevent Power Outages- Tree Removal and Dead Trees
TDUs may remove trees that threaten power lines based on factors like tree health, growth rate, proximity, and risk level.
They may also apply approved herbicides to prevent regrowth, following state and federal safety regulations.
These proactive measures help maintain long-term safety and reliability to prevent power outages for the entire community.
Pogo Energy’s Message to Our Customers
At Pogo Energy, we’re committed to helping Texans stay informed, safe, and connected, especially when the weather turns wild. You pay for electricity, not power outages caused by preventable hazards.
If you ever see tree limbs near power lines, don’t take action yourself—call your TDU. They’ll inspect and trim safely, often at no cost for what is considered standard maintenance. Stay safe and stay powered with Pogo.