FAQs and Customer Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which overhead power lines do you need to prune for?
2. How often do you patrol and prune for vegetation?
3. As a property owner, do you need my permission to prune?
4. How far will you prune my trees from the wires?
5. When will the tree crews arrive?
6. What about emergencies and storms?
7. Can I do the work myself?
8. Can I prune near the low voltage service wires?
9. Is the work done by SMUD crews or by contractor crews?
10. Does SMUD employ certified arborists?
11. What about tree houses?
12. Does tree pruning spread disease?
13. Can I get wood chips?
14. I'm planting new trees on my property, do you have any tips on what to plant?
15. Why can't you put the power lines undergound in order to avoid pruning?
16. Can I put vegetation near Padmount transformers?

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which overhead power lines do you need to prune for?

High-voltage overhead power lines are cleared of vegetation. In most cases, these are the lines in the highest position on power poles. The words "High Voltage" are marked on poles or cross-arms with high voltage lines. Low voltage (secondary lines), those below the transformer, require less maintenance and are usually cleared during our routine cycle pruning. Service lines to your house are also low voltage; they are only pruned if there is heavy strain or abrasion present and can be legally and safely worked around by customers or their contractors.

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2. How often do you patrol and prune for vegetation?

SMUD’s service area is patrolled every three years for the Routine Pruning Cycle and again at one and one half years for the Cyclebuster Cycle.
 
Routine Cycle: Every tree is inspected and pruned as needed to maintain compliance.

Cyclebuster Cycle: Only trees that will not stay in compliance for the three year cycle are pruned on this cycle.

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3. As a property owner, do you need my permission to prune?

When our Job Planners identify tree pruning to be done on your property, you will be notified in person or with a door hanger. Your permission is not required, because state law mandates that we maintain our lines, and keep them safe and hazard-free.

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4. How far will you prune my trees from the wires?

The amount of pruning necessary is prescribed by our Job Planners. This is based on tree growth and structure, wind sway and line sag. Factors that influence the amount and type of pruning necessary include species of tree, environmental factors, irrigation, proximity of the tree to a line, line voltage and line configuration. As always, we also need to include a reasonable margin of safety above the absolute minimum clearance requirements.
Trees and other vegetation growing in proximity to overhead utility facilities must adhere to federal and state regulations. These laws address potential vegetation conflicts with public safety, service reliability, and fire prevention. In California, three state regulations apply to vegetation and power line/utility clearances.

General Order 95, Rule 35
The first regulation is General Order 95, Rule 35. This rule requires a minimum of 18" (inches) of clearance between vegetation and energized conductors (wires) carrying more than 750 volts. This law covers all of California regardless of location and defines the minimum clearance required at all times. Utility vegetation management programs must often achieve greater clearance than 18" to address regrowth of affected vegetation and all potential weather/climatic conditions which can affect the vegetation and the conductors. Length of time between maintenance cycles can also increase the amount of clearance required.
Visit CPUC website for complete regulations. (search for General Order 95 Rule 35)

Public Resource Code 4293
The second regulation is Public Resource Code 4293. This code requires a minimum of 4' (feet) of clearance between vegetation and energized conductors (wires) carrying more than 750 volts. This law covers all "State Responsibility Areas" in California. State responsibility lands are generally outside city limits where the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is the Direct Protection Agency. Utility vegetation management programs must often achieve greater clearance than 4' (feet) to address regrowth of affected vegetation, higher voltage transmission lines, and all potential weather/climatic conditions which can effect the vegetation and the conductors. Length of time between maintenance cycles can also increase the amount of clearance required.

Public Resource Code 4292
The third regulation is Public Resource Code 4292. This code requires a minimum of 10' (feet) radial clearance at the base of poles carrying certain protective equipment and connectors of ground vegetation clearance and the limbing of tree branches to 8' (feet) in height around these poles. This law also covers all "State Responsibility Areas" in California. State responsibility lands are generally outside city limits where the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is the Direct Protection Agency. Utility vegetation management pole clearing programs must also address regrowth of affected vegetation, and all potential weather/climatic conditions which can effect the vegetation. Length of time between maintenance cycles can also change the amount of clearance required.

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5. When will the tree crews arrive?

Tree crews usually arrive four to six weeks after a Job Planner has patrolled an area. The residents are notified by the Planner in person or with a "door hanger" notice. At times, scheduling conflicts, emergencies or other interruptions occur that may alter the schedule. If the work is urgent, crews may arrive in a matter of days. If you have questions or concerns, call the Job Planner listed on the door hanger.

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6. What about emergencies and storms?

Downed power lines and Outages:

Call SMUD at 1-888-456-SMUD (7683) or 911 to report a downed line.

During emergency efforts to restore power, uprooted trees and or broken branches may be removed from the power lines by SMUD crews and/or their tree pruning contractors. Once the vegetation has been cleared from the lines the final clean-up of storm damaged trees is the responsibility of the tree owner.

When outages occur, SMUD is only responsible for restoring the electric service. The homeowner is responsible for contacting the phone and/or cable companies if work is needed to restore those services. Go to Education & Safety for more storm information.

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7. Can I do the work myself?

Pruning trees next to high voltage power lines can be dangerous to you and others. Unqualified tree workers put their lives in jeopardy without specialized training or the proper insulated tools required to work near high voltage power lines. Hiring an unqualified tree contractor could put the contractor and yourself at a significant liability risk, should a worker be injured or killed while performing work.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires that persons working within certain distances of overhead power lines be qualified and trained properly. For details see Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, Articles 37 and 38, “Electrical Safety Orders.”

Observe the 10-foot Rule
If you want to remove a tree or any part of it that is closer than 10 feet to a high voltage (Primary) power line, always call us at the Vegetation Management office, 916-732-5854. When you contact us, we will visit your site and inspect the line at no charge to determine if it is safe for you to proceed. We may determine that we need to assist you by making it safe for you to complete your work. If so, SMUD will create a safe distance between the tree and the power lines so that you or your own contractor can safely perform the work needed. This is known as a (Safety Prune). Pruning is scheduled and the clean up of the cut limbs is the responsibility of the property owner.

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8. Can I prune near the low voltage service wires?

It is legal for private contractors or homeowners to work near low voltage service wires. Limbs are pruned during routine pruning cycle only if there is strain or abrasion present. If you are having tree work done and you or the contractor you hire are uncomfortable working near the lines, you may request to have the service wire disconnected while you perform the work. Call the SMUD Contact Center at 1-888-742-7683 to request a service disconnect for the number of hours required.

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9. Is the work done by SMUD crews or by Contractor crews?

SMUD’s Vegetation Management is preformed by both in house SMUD crews and two Contractor companies. All tree pruners working in SMUD’s service territory are required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CALOSHA) to be line-clearance certified in order to work near high voltage power lines.

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10. Does SMUD employ certified arborists?

Yes. SMUD is staffed with a combined total of 30 Certified Arborists. All of the Vegetation Management Supervisors hold an Arborist and Utility Specialist certification. Job Planners, Foreman and Tree Pruners combine for the rest of the certifications. Each continues their training through on going training courses and seminars approved by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). All are professional members of the ISA and the Western Chapter of the ISA. SMUD Supervisors are also members of the Utility Arborist Association (UAA). Many of SMUD’s contractors also hold the Arborist certification.

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11. What about tree houses?

If any part of a tree holding a tree house is within 10 feet of a power line, it is too close, and the risk of electrocution to children playing in the tree house is very high. Make sure that children cannot reach the lines with a pole or any other object.

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12. Does tree pruning spread disease?

SMUD requires all tree crews to disinfect their tools between trees and locations if there is a known disease in the area, as appropriate or as recommended by state and local agencies.

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13. Can I get wood chips?

Free wood chips are available for SMUD customers to use as mulch around their trees and shrubs. You can get them Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the locations below:

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