Lifting a storm-damaged tree off a Memphis house

Lines come first

MLGW says trees are behind about 40% of its outages, and it clears about 1,491 miles of right-of-way a year. Its tree program covers what threatens its lines:

• Trees near pole lines. MLGW removes trees whose trunks stand within 10 to 15 feet of a pole line and endanger it.
• Dead or diseased trees. With the owner’s written consent, MLGW removes hazardous trees near its lines.
• Not covered. Trimming around service drops, the line from the pole to the house, and hauling storm debris.

MLGW tells residents never to trim near power lines themselves. If any part of the tree touches a wire, report it and wait.

The 10-foot rule

Tennessee law keeps cranes and their loads at least 10 feet from high-voltage overhead lines unless the line is de-energized and grounded, insulated or guarded by barriers, all arranged with the line owner. A crane cannot simply work around a live line on a storm job. The utility has to make it safe first.

Photo: AlfvanBeem / Wikimedia

Setting up on older streets

Midtown, Central Gardens and East Memphis have big oaks over narrow lots. The crane may have to work from the street. If it takes a lane or a sidewalk, the City of Memphis charges a daily closure fee and normally wants 10 calendar days of notice, so tell the operator whether the job is an emergency or can wait.

Soaked lawns after a storm will not hold outriggers. Driveways and the street are often the only firm spots.

What the crane adds

The crane bills on top of the tree service:

Tree job	Crane	Crane share of the bill
Limb or small tree on a roof	15 to 30-ton truck crane, 3 hours	$585
Large oak across a house	35-ton truck crane, 4 hours	$960
Big tree with a long reach	40-ton truck crane, 5 hours	$1,325

From the posted sheet, billed portal to portal. The tree crew prices its own climbing, cutting and hauling.