Chelan PUD tree trimming near power lines

Where Chelan PUD trims

Chelan PUD’s electric system serves all of Chelan County, 2,994 square miles, plus parts of Okanogan and Kittitas counties, and delivers power to more than 49,000 local customers. That covers Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan and the valleys between. See tree service in Wenatchee and the Chelan County page for local permit and storm notes, or the utilities index if your bill comes from someone else.

What the PUD trims and how often

The PUD’s Tree Health and Safety Program inspects lines routinely and prunes on a two- to four-year cycle to keep vegetation from contacting them. The PUD is responsible for trees near its overhead transmission and distribution lines; its tree-trimming page does not mention any charge to the property owner for that pruning (not stated). The reason it gives is not just outages: in a county where summer fire is a real risk, a tree touching a line can start a wildfire.

Crews use directional pruning, the method endorsed by the Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture. Only limbs growing toward the wires come off, with cuts made where a branch meets a lateral. The PUD says this means less frequent pruning, fewer weak sprouts and a more natural shape. PUD certified arborists flag hazardous trees during inspections; if you are worried about a tree near a line, call the forestry program.

Clearance distance

Chelan PUD does not publish a clearance figure for its overhead lines (not stated). The only distance on its tree page is for planting: keep trees at least 6 ft to the side of underground power lines and equipment. For overhead lines, the working limit that matters to you is the state’s 10 ft rule, below.

The secondary line to your meter

The PUD says customers are typically responsible for the secondary lines that run to their meter. To make that work safe, it disconnects and reconnects the secondary service at no cost, so you or a third party can prune. The page does not say which number books the disconnect; start with the forestry program at (509) 661-4251, then book the crew. The PUD does not publish a notice period (not stated); our page on tree removal near power lines covers sequencing.

How to request trimming

The forestry program manager handles tree questions, helps identify which overhead line you are looking at, and answers wood-chip requests at (509) 661-4251. Current pruning projects are listed on the PUD’s In Your Neighborhood page. No response-time target is published (not stated).

From time to time the PUD gives away wood chips from its pruning in 8 to 10 yard piles dumped on site.

A tree on a line right now

Chelan PUD’s instruction for a downed line is to call 911 and stay at least 40 ft away. Report the outage at (877) 783-8123. Do not cut, pull or climb a tree resting on a wire, and keep people and pets back from anything it touches. A crew can start only once the PUD has made the line safe; see emergency tree service.

Who may work within 10 ft of a line

A Wenatchee tree service can handle everything outside that zone. Check the company’s L&I contractor registration with our Washington tree service license lookup, and the Washington tree removal permits guide if the tree is coming down.

Planting under Chelan PUD lines

The PUD’s Tree Planting Guide lists low-growing species that suit spots near power lines. Before you dig, call the Dig Council at (800) 424-5555, and plant at least 6 ft from underground lines and equipment. In fire country, pair this with the spacing advice on our defensible space page.