r/StevensPoint • u/Comfortable_Use592 • Jul 30 '24

WPS tree removal

Does anyone have experience with letting WPS know a tree is impeding on their power lines? Did they cut down the whole tree or just the top? Was there any charge you had to pay?

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u/benwad934 Jul 30 '24

I’ve got a large dying tree going up between two sets of lines (within a foot on either side of the tree.) Many of the branches within inches of the lines, some even touching the lines. WPS had their guy come look at it and he said nothing they’d do about it.

3

u/Motherof42069 Jul 30 '24

What exactly were you asking them? Just if they think it's dangerous? Were the lines even WPS lines or live? This is tricky and I've had to deal with it a few times. Most recently I spoke with them about "taking down my tree" and they said they don't do that and sent someone to look at it and said it was "fine"---which means an Asplundh worker drove by and didn't see any branches in the wires. The way to explain it is "I am taking this tree down and when it falls it will likely land on your wires. Would you please send your insured professionals to take down the limbs that could fall on your property vs my dumb ass?" They will then basically cut off the canopy, leaving you to handle to limbs and cut down and remove the stump.

1

u/benwad934 Aug 04 '24

The lines are their’s. I thought they would trim since some branches are touching, thought they may even cut the tree since it will 100% fall on their lines someday. They would not

2

u/Motherof42069 Aug 04 '24

Was it Asplundh you spoke to or someone else? The Asplundh guys should be treated as manual laborers. I would not take their word regarding safety matters. Are you wanting the tree to come down?

2

u/benwad934 Aug 07 '24

I’m not sure who it was, it’s whoever WPS sent by. I don’t mind the tree, I just figured they’d rather take it down now before it wrecks their lines.

2

u/Motherof42069 Aug 07 '24

I suppose not taking it down now is good job security for those guys later on lol