Short answer
Responsibility splits at the service line. CPS Energy trims vegetation around its own poles and distribution lines. The service line running from the pole to your house is the property owner's responsibility, but CPS Energy asks you to call at least five business days before any work so the line can be temporarily disconnected.
Which line is it? The answer changes who does the work
CPS Energy states plainly that customers are responsible for the service line, defined as the electric line from a utility pole next to the home. Everything upstream of that is the utility's vegetation management program, which covers emergency, general, and planned tree trimming.
| The line | What it is | Who handles trees on it |
|---|---|---|
| Primary and distribution lines | The higher lines running pole to pole along the street or the back easement | CPS Energy. The utility says it will "routinely trim tree limbs and vines around our poles and lines" through its vegetation management program. |
| Service line (service drop) | The single line running from the pole to your house | The property owner. CPS Energy will temporarily disconnect it so the work can be done safely. |
Call before anyone climbs
Five business days is not paperwork. A de-energized service line is the difference between a routine trim and an electrocution. Book the disconnect first and schedule the tree crew around it, not the other way around.
The number for reporting a tree problem or requesting an inspection is 210-353-2222. CPS Energy also takes reports through its Residential Service Request Form, and crews carry out a visual inspection to determine whether tree trimming is warranted.
call CPS Energy at least 5 business days before the work begins so that we can temporarily disconnect the service line to allow for safe trimming
CPS Energy, Tree Trimming and Power Line Safety
Not every company is allowed to do this work
That is the utility's own rule, and it is the single most useful question a homeowner can ask before accepting a quote on a line-adjacent job. A company that has not met it should be telling you to call CPS Energy, not climbing.
Only tree-trimming companies that have met OSHA qualifications may trim trees away from high-voltage power lines.
CPS Energy, Tree Trimming and Power Line Safety
- Have you met the OSHA qualifications for trimming near high-voltage lines?
- Have you scheduled the CPS Energy service disconnect, or should I?
- Do you hold a current City of San Antonio tree maintenance license?
- Is the quote for the tree, the line clearance, or both?
The 10-foot rule for everyone else
For anyone working near overhead lines, CPS Energy's guidance is to keep at least 10 feet between you and the line. That distance has to include the ladder, the pole saw, and the tree itself once it starts to move.
A limb under tension does not fall where you expect it to. Most power line contact happens to people who were not planning to touch the line at all.
What to do right now if a tree is on a line
- Stay back and keep people and pets clear. Treat every line as energized, including one that looks dead.
- If the line is down or arcing, or the tree is smoking, call 911 and CPS Energy immediately.
- Report the tree to CPS Energy at 210-353-2222 or through the Residential Service Request Form. A crew inspects to determine whether trimming is warranted.
- If the branch is on the service line to your house, book the temporary disconnect before scheduling any tree work.
- Do not attempt to push, pull, or cut a branch clear of a line yourself, at any voltage.
Sources
General guidance for San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country, not legal advice. Rules and utility procedures change. Check with the city or CPS Energy for your specific property.
