Utilities Above & Below

Working closely to power lines is dangerous and utility companies recommend staying at least 10 feet away from power lines during any project. When your trees have grown up into or near the power lines you definitely should not try to maintain them yourself, instead it is recommended that you call a professional. Experts can safely provide maintenance of your trees by contacting the utility company to de-energize wires while pruning, trimming or tree removal is performed.

And the danger isn't only those visible wires overhead, but below the ground too. If you are having a stump removed, a professional tree company will check with the utility company to have the area marked in the case that gas, oil or other utilities may be running underground below the stump.

A special note from the Baltimore Sun:
"April is National Safe Digging Month and the Common Ground Alliance reminds you to call 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, before you break ground on tree planting or any other outdoor projects.

The phone call alerts the utility companies of your intent to dig and they send locators out to your home to mark the underground lines so you don't accidentally strike them and cause serious personal or neighborhood damage. (Think gas explosion). More than 256,000 digging accidents occur in the country every year."