When a tree is touching power lines in Richmond, KY, who trims it depends on which side of the wire the branch is on — LG&E and KU handle the line-side clearance, and a tree service handles everything else on the tree.
Who Is Actually Responsible for the Trim?
LG&E and KU trim and clear vegetation directly threatening their distribution lines on a planned cycle across Madison County; a homeowner is responsible for the rest of the tree and for hauling away any debris the utility leaves behind after a storm.
That split matters because it decides who to call first. A branch that’s already resting on or arcing near the line is a utility call — LG&E and KU will de-energize or clear it before anyone should touch it. A tree that’s leaning toward the line, growing into the utility’s easement, or simply needs pruning to keep it clear long-term is where we come in, and we’ll coordinate directly with the utility when a job requires them to make the line safe first.
What Happens When a Tree Actually Falls on a Line?
If a storm drops a tree on a power line, LG&E and KU remove the tree from the line and restring it at their own cost. The debris left on the ground — branches, limbs, the rest of the trunk — is the homeowner’s to clear, and that’s where an emergency tree removal call comes in, typically $600–$2,500 for a Madison County call, with cranework or a tree still tangled in a line pushing toward the top of that range.
Source: LG&E and KU — Trees and Power Lines.
FAQ
Can I trim the branches touching my own power line?
No. Never trim near an energized line yourself — contact with a line at that distance can be fatal. LG&E and KU handle clearance on their line-side of the tree; call them or us to report it.
Who pays for storm damage after a tree hits a power line?
LG&E and KU remove the tree from the line and restring it at their cost, but hauling off the debris left behind on your property is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Will Richmond Tree Pros trim branches near a power line?
We handle the tree-side work away from the energized conductor and coordinate with LG&E and KU when a branch is close enough that the utility needs to de-energize or clear the line first.
Tree already down on a line, or want a leaning tree cleared before it gets there? See our emergency tree removal cost guide, or call/text (859) 310-1209.
Last updated: September 22, 2026