If you are a property owner, you are generally responsible for keeping trees and other vegetation on your property safely clear of power lines. Find out how to keep vegetation safely clear of the network, what the latest rules mean for you and what to do if you're concerned about a tree. If there is anything you are unsure about, reach out to us for advice!
If there is an immediate danger, please call 111
If a power line is down, damaged or hanging low, stay at least 10 metres away and keep others away too.
You should also contact Alpine Energy immediately if:
a tree or branch has fallen onto a power line
a tree looks like it could fall onto a power line
a power line is down, damaged or hanging low
branches are touching power lines
someone is at risk of coming into contact with a power line.
Understand what vegetation notices mean and what you need to do.
Tree notices & responsibilities
Before you trim or remove a tree
Working near power lines can be dangerous
Trees and branches can fall or move unexpectedly, and electricity can arc to nearby objects even without direct contact.
Keep at least 4 metres away
If you, the tree, or any tools or equipment could come within 4 metres of a power line, do not attempt the work yourself. Contact us before doing any work as the job may require a qualified contractor or the line to be isolated.
The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations have been updated, with changes taking effect in stages between 2026 and 2028.
The changes affect how vegetation is managed around power lines, including clear-to-the-sky requirements, new planting restrictions and a new process for trees that could fall onto the network.
Looking after trees near power lines is a shared responsibility. Generally, the person who owns the land where the tree is growing is the tree owner. The tree owner is responsible for looking after the trees on their property and making sure they don't breach the regulations.
As your lines company, we also have responsibilities, including:
carrying out vegetation and network surveys
providing information about the rules
issuing hazard warning and cut or trim notices where the regulations allow or require
responding to electricity hazards
meeting the cost of certain work where required under the regulations.
Who is responsible for particular work, and who pays for it, depends on the circumstances and the type of notice or work involved.
Stay well clear. Do not touch the tree, branch, power line, or anything that is in contact with them. Call 111 if there is immediate danger, then contact us on 0800 66 11 77. Always treat power lines as live.
In most cases, the tree owner is responsible for managing their trees so they do not breach the regulations. We also have responsibilities, including monitoring vegetation risks, issuing notices, responding to electrical hazards and, in some circumstances, meeting the cost of work. The exact responsibility depends on the tree and the type of notice involved.
The regulated distances depend on the voltage and span of the line, so they are not always easy to judge from the ground. Do not try to measure around a live line. Contact us at 0800 66 11 77 if you are concerned about a tree or are planning work near a line.
Read the notice carefully and contact us promptly if anything is unclear. The notice will set out the work required, the deadline, and the options available to you. You must tell us the time and location of the work at least three working days before it takes place. Do not arrange work that cannot be carried out safely. If you need guidance on who can carry out the work, contact Alpine Energy for advice on 0800 66 11 77.
It depends on the circumstances. If a tree qualifies for its first cut or trim under the regulations, we generally meet the reasonable cost. Ongoing maintenance is generally the tree owner’s responsibility. Different rules can apply where there is an agreement, a no-interest tree notice, refused access, a tree planted unlawfully in the low height planting zone, or an established self-sown tree that is not managed. You can request tree trimming here.
If you fail to comply with the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 and your tree causes damage to one of our conductors or network assets, you may be liable for the costs of repairing the damage.
Need advice?
If you're unsure whether a tree is too close to a power line, planning to plant a tree, or need advice before carrying out tree work, contact us before you start.
