When a fallen tree brings down power lines, the safest move is to call your utility company first to de-energize the lines, then contact a certified arborist immediately after. A tree service cannot safely remove a tree or limb from active power lines, but having an arborist ready to respond the moment lines are cleared can significantly speed up the process.
A homeowner in Antioch, Nashville, TN recently called us after a large limb came down in their backyard and pulled power lines with it. They weren’t sure whether to get in line with their utility provider or call us directly. It’s one of the most common questions we hear after a storm, and it’s worth understanding exactly how this process works so you’re not left waiting longer than you need to.
At Tree Masters of Tennessee, we handle storm situations like this regularly. Here’s what you need to know to protect your property and move through the process as quickly and safely as possible.
Tree services are not trained or licensed to work on energized power lines, and any company that offers to do so without utility clearance is putting your safety and theirs at serious risk. Even if a line appears dead or de-energized, only the utility company can confirm that with certainty.
Power lines can re-energize without warning. A downed line that looks inactive could still be carrying current. Our arborists are trained to assess the scene, but we always defer to the utility company’s determination before any cutting begins near the line zone.
This isn’t us being overly cautious. It’s standard industry practice followed by every legitimate tree care operation.
Your first call should be to NES (Nashville Electric Service) or your utility provider to report the downed lines and request emergency response. From there, here’s how to move through it step by step:
Calling your tree service while you’re waiting for the utility company is not only smart, it’s exactly what we recommend. Getting an arborist looped in early means we already understand the scope of the job before we arrive on site.
While you’re waiting for the utility company, a qualified arborist can assess other parts of the damage that are away from the power lines and help you plan the full scope of removal. Not every part of a storm-damaged tree is near the line zone, and some work can sometimes begin in safe areas.
During a call like the one that inspired this post, our team was already working through the assessment process remotely, reviewing photos and coordinating with our lead arborist before anyone ever set foot on the property. That kind of early communication matters.
We can also help you determine whether the tree that dropped the limb needs to come down entirely. A large limb failure is often a sign that the parent tree has structural issues that won’t fix themselves. Our storm damage cleanup process always includes an evaluation of what’s left standing, not just what fell.
You don’t, and that’s the point. Never attempt to determine whether a line is energized based on what you can see or hear. Lines can arc, re-energize, or carry stray current even when they show no visible signs of life.
We’ve had homeowners tell us they were certain the lines were dead because the lights in their house went out. That logic is understandable but dangerous. The absence of power in your home doesn’t mean the line itself is de-energized at the source.
Only a utility technician with the right equipment and access to the grid can make that call. This is non-negotiable in our industry.
Once NES or your utility provider confirms the lines are de-energized or has physically removed them from the tree, your arborist can move in and begin removal. At that point, we assess the full scene, determine the safest approach for extraction, and get to work.
Depending on the situation, this may involve removing just the fallen limb, taking down the entire tree, or addressing multiple trees if the storm caused widespread damage across your property. Learn more about our team’s experience handling exactly these kinds of complex, multi-tree storm scenarios.
We also document everything thoroughly, which helps if you need to file a homeowner’s insurance claim after the fact. Keeping a record of the damage, the timeline, and the work performed can make that process significantly smoother.
Yes, it can complicate both the removal process and the question of liability, especially if the fallen tree or limb originated on one property and landed on another. This comes up more than people expect in established neighborhoods where mature trees grow along shared property lines.
In situations like this, we recommend that both property owners stay in communication and, if possible, coordinate their calls to the tree service. It allows us to assess the full picture, work more efficiently, and avoid duplication of efforts. It’s also worth consulting your homeowner’s insurance policy early, since coverage for neighbor-to-neighbor tree damage can vary.
If there’s any dispute about responsibility, having documentation and a professional assessment from a certified arborist on record is valuable.
The utility company handles the lines. We handle the tree. The two calls can, and should, happen at the same time.
If you’re dealing with storm damage in Antioch, Nashville, TN and you’re not sure what to do next, the best thing you can do is reach out now. Don’t wait until the lines are cleared to get us involved. The earlier we hear from you, the faster we can respond once it’s safe to act.
Contact us today to report storm damage, send photos, or speak with one of our arborists about what’s happening on your property. We’re here to help you move through this quickly and safely.
