Trees near Oncor power lines
Who handles which wire, and the distances that keep people alive.
Wires and trees cause the calls nobody wants to make. The City of Lufkin says Oncor maintains the lines in town; this is Oncor's published guidance, plus what Rita showed about downed lines here.
Who trims what
| Where the branches are | Who handles it | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Between two Oncor poles | Oncor, on a rotating schedule | 888-313-6862 for a hazard |
| Removing a tree beside a pole-to-pole line | Ask Oncor for a "Make Ready" prune; you dispose of the tree | 888-313-6862 |
| Service line, pole to house | The owner, using a qualified tree trimmer | 888-313-6862 for a temporary disconnect |
| Tree down on a line | Report it; stay away | 888-313-4747, or 911 if fire or sparking |
The distances
- Oncor cites OSHA in saying non-certified personnel should stay a minimum of 10 feet from high-voltage lines.
- Only Oncor-approved, line-clearance certified workers may work within 6 feet of them.
- For a tree near a distribution line, Oncor says no part of the tree should be within 10 feet of the line.
What 2005 showed
During Hurricane Rita, the National Weather Service reported that a teenager in Angelina County was electrocuted while picking up a downed power line. TXU Electric Delivery said 90 percent of customers in the Lufkin and Nacogdoches areas lost power, and crews worked through dense forest to restore it.
Planting the next tree
Oncor asks owners to think about a tree's type and mature height before planting near overhead lines, and to check for underground lines before digging. Texas 811 notice applies to powered digging 16 inches or deeper.
Where these facts come from
- City of Lufkin: Moving to Lufkin? (visitors and newcomers, utilities)
- Oncor: Tree pruning FAQs
- Oncor: Vegetation Management
- National Weather Service, Shreveport: Hurricane Rita, September 24, 2005
- T&D World: TXU Electric Delivery Completes Hurricane Rita Repairs in East Texas; Lufkin, Nacogdoches Final Areas to Be Restored (October 3, 2005)
- Texas Utilities Code Section 251.002: Definitions
Checked October 27, 2026. Agencies and price guides update without notice; open the link before relying on a figure.
Common questions
Does Oncor trim trees in Lufkin for free?
Oncor prunes along lines between its poles as routine maintenance. Trimming the service line to your house is the owner's job, and a temporary disconnect for that work has a charge.
How close can a tree trimmer get to a power line?
Oncor says people who aren't line-clearance certified should stay at least 10 feet from high-voltage lines.