Trees Near Snohomish PUD Lines: Who to Call Before Private Tree Work

If proposed tree work may involve a power line, start with Snohomish PUD and keep its response separate from the private tree-work estimate. A photograph or a contractor appointment does not establish that the line is safe.

Who should receive the first question?

Snohomish PUD’s tree-maintenance guidance gives its vegetation-management number as 425-783-5579, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. It says the PUD does not maintain vegetation around service lines or standalone communication lines. Ask the utility to clarify the situation; do not identify a line’s safety or ownership by its appearance.

A fallen line is a different situation from an ordinary estimate request. Follow the PUD’s current outage and emergency instructions. Stay away from the line and anything touching it. Do not approach to measure, move a branch or take a closer photograph.

Make a handoff record without approaching the hazard

• Property address and the concern noticed from a safe location.
• Date reported and reference number, if one was supplied.
• The utility’s actual response and next step.
• Questions the private provider still needs resolved.

Keep the utility response in its original form. “We will review it” does not mean “the line is de-energized” or “work may start.” Ask the responsible professionals to resolve work limits and coordination before arranging the job.

Use the record in the estimate conversation

In a hypothetical example, a utility review is pending while the owner also wants an unrelated stump assessed. Put those in separate rows. Describe the requested outcome for the stump, but leave the line-related work unresolved. A combined price should not hide an unanswered safety question.

When the utility responds, share the relevant instructions with the provider and record who will handle the next step. If conditions change, follow current utility emergency guidance instead of waiting for an ordinary estimate. This worksheet organizes communication; it does not prescribe pruning, clearance distances or electrical work.

By Comprehensive Tree Service.