Identifying High Voltage Power Lines

It is important to identify whether high voltage power lines are above the planting strip where you will plant your new street tree. If high voltage power lines are present, your tree list will provide options for smaller form trees. Smaller form trees are less likely to grow into the high voltage power lines.

Wires above trees are categorized as either high voltage or not high voltage. High voltage wires often (but not always) run on one side of the street and have some features which make them easy to identify.

Signs of high voltage wires:

• Transformers
• Insulators
• Trees along the street are pruned away from the wires

View full size image of trees pruned away from overhead wires

View full size image of high-voltage wire with transformer and insulator

Signs that wires are not high voltage:

• Service lines (lower voltage power lines) and communication lines will not have transformers or insulators. You might see these lines connecting to houses or running through trees. 

View full size image of overhead communication and service wires

View full size image of trees growing through overhead wires

Contact your electric company

• Portland General Electric
  • Tree Trimming 503-736-5460 or 800-544-1794
• Pacific Power
  • Tree pruning & vegetation management: 1-888-221-7070 vegetationmgmtpaccor@pacificorp.com