Dead Tree Removal

The electrical wires are the highest wires on a telephone pole. Below the topmost wires are the telephone and cable television wires. There are many dead trees standing near the edges of roads around our Lake. If a tree endangers the electrical transmission lines, then the local electrical utility will trim the tree (or cut down a dead tree) only to the point that the electrical wires are no longer endangered. The electric utility is only interested in the electricity transmission lines. The electric utility will not take action if only telephone or cable TV wires are impacted.

In the case of dealing with a dead tree, this usually means that a 15 foot "stump" remains after the electric utility completes its work. This may or may not be sufficient to reduce the potential liability of damage to people or property. Click this link to complete a web-based form to report tree interference to Orange and Rockland Utility.

We point out, however, that it is always ultimately the property owner's responsibility to remove trees (dead or alive) that are located on their property and that endanger life or property. You are liable for any damage that your trees might cause. While the local utility may be willing to trim trees and limbs that endanger their wires, that does not remove the responsibility and liability from you as the property owner.