A tree growing into a power line in Frankfort, KY is common along the city’s older streets and out on Franklin County’s rural roads, and figuring out who is allowed to touch it — you, Frankfort Plant Board, or a private tree company — depends on which line it is and whose property the tree sits on.
Who Is Responsible for a Tree Near a Power Line in Frankfort, KY?
Frankfort Plant Board clears trees along its own power lines; homeowners are responsible for any tree on their property that threatens the line running to their house.
Frankfort and most of Franklin County are served by Frankfort Plant Board (FPB), the city’s own municipal utility, rather than LG&E/KU — FPB maintains clearance along its main distribution lines and will trim or remove trees that threaten them. The service drop running from the pole to your house is different: if a tree on your property is growing into that line, it’s on you to get it cleared, and that’s work a tree company can do once FPB confirms it’s safe to approach.
What Happens If a Tree or Limb Falls on a Power Line?
FPB is responsible for restoring the line and clearing the wire itself; the homeowner is typically responsible for the tree debris and its removal from the yard.
Never approach a downed line or a tree still tangled in one — call FPB’s outage line first. Once the line is confirmed de-energized or the tree has been separated from it, we can take over the cleanup, bucking and hauling the tree or limb and grinding the stump if it came out at the base.
When Should You Call a Tree Company Instead of the Utility?
Call the utility for anything touching the primary line itself; call a tree company for trimming or removing a tree on your property that hasn’t reached the wire yet.
A professional line-clearance trim near a secondary or service line typically falls in our $300–$600+ per tree range, depending on height, access, and how much rigging and roping the job needs to keep limbs off the wire on the way down. That’s a typical range, not a quote — we price it on-site.
FAQ
Can Frankfort Tree Pros work directly on the power line itself?
No. Work on the energized line itself is the utility’s job only. We handle the tree — trimming or removing the limbs and stem once Frankfort Plant Board confirms it’s safe to approach or has cleared a tangled line.
Who pays if a tree on my property falls on the power line?
You’re generally responsible for the tree itself since it’s on your land, while FPB handles restoring the line. Check with FPB and your homeowners policy for how debris removal is split.
How close can I safely trim a branch to a power line myself?
Don’t. Electricity can arc across several feet of open air, and DIY trimming near a live line is one of the most dangerous tasks a homeowner can attempt. Anything near a line is a call-a-professional job, not a weekend one.
Source: Frankfort Plant Board — Electric Service & Tree Guidelines.
If the tree itself looks unstable rather than just close to a line, see our guide to dead and hazardous tree removal, or if it’s already down and urgent, see emergency tree service. Call or text (859) 310-1209 for a free on-site look.
Last updated: September 24, 2026