Tree on the line? Stay back and call.
Trees on power lines are dangerous and common in Marin storms. The response sequence is non-negotiable: stay clear, call 911 if wires are down, call PG&E, call electrician for customer-side repair.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Tree on service drop or power line: (1) Stay back at least 35 feet from any downed or compromised wire — they may be energized even if not visibly arcing. (2) Call 911 if any wire is on the ground or accessible to people/pets. (3) Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5002 — they own the line and dispatch tree-trim and line-repair crews. (4) Call licensed electrician for customer-side damage assessment after PG&E clears the scene. (5) Do not attempt to remove the tree yourself if it's contacting any electrical line — even after the line appears de-energized.
01Why trees fall on lines in Marin.
Marin's tree canopy is significant — bay laurel, eucalyptus, oak, redwood, and pine populate residential properties throughout the county. Several factors drive tree-on-line incidents: saturated soil during atmospheric river events loosens root systems and entire trees topple; heavy wind loads (sustained 40-60+ mph in storm events) break branches and trunks; dead or diseased limbs that survived light conditions fail under storm load; eucalyptus trees specifically are prone to dropping large branches even without storms (epicormic branch failure).
Service drops — the overhead wires from utility pole to your home — are vulnerable because they cross open space at low to mid height. Even a single limb falling can either pull down the wire or damage the weatherhead/mast attachment point. In severe storms, entire trees fall across multiple service drops on a street, taking out service for multiple homes simultaneously. PG&E prioritizes restoration by impact (number of customers affected, public safety severity, critical infrastructure), so single-home outages may have longer wait times than multi-home events.
02What happens after you call.
911 and PG&E coordination
If wires are down or contacting ground, 911 dispatches fire/police to secure the scene (block off the area, prevent public contact). PG&E dispatches a line crew to de-energize the affected section at the pole or transformer level. Tree-trim crew may be dispatched to clear the tree from the lines before line repair.
Customer-side damage assessment
After scene is safe and PG&E has cleared, electrician inspects customer-side damage: weatherhead and mast (often damaged), riser conduit, service entrance conductors, meter base, panel. Document damage with photos for insurance. Quote repair scope and timeline.
Coordinated restoration
Repair work proceeds with the same sequencing as any service entrance scenario — PG&E disconnect (if not already), customer-side repair, inspection, PG&E reconnect. Tree removal from the property may be a separate scope handled by an arborist if the tree is on your property.
03Liability and insurance.
Whose tree caused the damage matters for insurance subrogation but doesn't affect immediate response. Your homeowners insurance typically covers damage to your service entrance and home from any falling tree (your tree or a neighbor's). Your insurer's adjuster handles subrogation with the neighbor's insurer if the tree originated next door. Tree removal from your property is sometimes covered (especially if the tree damaged a structure or blocks access); always confirm with your carrier.
Document everything: photos of the scene before, during, and after removal/repair; itemized invoices from arborist and electrician; PG&E case number from your call; any police/fire report number from 911 response. We provide electrician-side documentation suitable for claims. Common repair cost range for tree-impact service entrance damage: $2,000-$8,000 customer side depending on scope; tree removal separately $800-$5,000+ depending on tree size and access.
Common questions.
What if the tree is still on the line but not on the ground?
Still call PG&E. The line may be compromised even if the tree is suspended above the ground. PG&E assesses and either dispatches immediately (if there's risk of further failure) or schedules tree trim. Don't attempt to clear it yourself or hire an arborist who isn't trained for energized-line work — only PG&E or PG&E-contracted tree crews work near energized lines.
How long will I be without power?
Typical range: 4 hours to 3 days. Single-home incident with minor service-drop damage: typically 8-24 hours from PG&E response through electrician repair to PG&E reconnect. Multi-home or widespread storm event: longer queue, sometimes 1-3 days. We dispatch within hours of your call regardless of PG&E timeline — customer-side scope can sometimes proceed in parallel with PG&E work.
Should I cut up the tree before the electrician arrives?
Only if it's clearly clear of all electrical components and you can do so safely. Often a chunk of tree is still touching the service drop or wedged against the mast — leave it for the electrician (or arborist working with the electrician) to handle. If the tree is on the roof or blocking access, an arborist may be the first call, working in coordination with PG&E and electrician.
Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
Yes — proactive tree management. Trim trees away from service drops and overhead lines on your property (or hire PG&E's free tree-trim program for trees adjacent to utility lines, where applicable). Remove or top dead/diseased trees that could fall on the home or service. Inspect eucalyptus and bay laurel branches regularly — these species are most prone to limb drop. Annual arborist visit catches issues before they become storm casualties.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Emergency response across Marin County.
Same-day dispatch for safety scenarios. Typical on-site time 1-3 hours weekday, 1-4 hours after-hours.