Does OPPD remove trees near my house?

OPPD trims or removes trees that interfere with its lines. It does not handle trees interfering with service wires (pole to house), yard-light wires, or streetlight wires.

How do I get a service wire moved out of the way for tree work?

OPPD can temporarily disconnect or remove service wires so an owner or contractor can work. Call several days in advance, since crews work Monday through Friday.

Do I need to call 811 for stump grinding?

Yes, call Nebraska 811 before digging or grinding. A local guide advises calling at least two full business days ahead.

Trees Near Power Lines in Omaha: What OPPD Handles

Q: Does OPPD take away stumps?

No. After routine trimming OPPD removes the branches and wood, but not stumps.

Call (531) 227-5581

A tree near a power line is not a do-it-yourself project, and in Omaha it is also not always the utility’s project. Knowing who handles which wire saves a lot of phone calls.

What OPPD handles

According to OPPD’s tree FAQ, the utility trims or removes trees that interfere with its own distribution lines. That means the lines on the poles, not the wires that run from the pole to your house.

What OPPD does not handle

OPPD does not handle trees that interfere with:

Service wires running from the pole to your house.
Yard-light wires.
Streetlight wires.

If a limb is pressing on the service drop to your home, the tree work is on you, and you will need to coordinate with a qualified crew. Do not climb or cut near any energized wire yourself.

Getting a service wire disconnected

OPPD can temporarily disconnect or remove service wires so that an owner or contractor can work safely. The key is timing: call several days in advance, and plan on weekdays. OPPD crews work Monday through Friday, and an older OPPD article indicated no weekend or holiday work. Tell the tree service about the disconnect when you schedule, so the two visits line up.

OPPD’s tree and line number for Omaha is 402-536-4131. For outages, including downed lines after a storm, the number is 1-800-554-6773. Confirm both on OPPD’s website before you rely on them.

Calling 811 before stump work

Stump grinding digs into the ground. Nebraska 811 (dial 811, or 1-800-331-5666) marks buried utilities for free. A local guide says to call at least two full business days before you dig. If your property is in Iowa, across the river in Council Bluffs for example, Iowa 811 applies instead.

Wood and stumps

After routine trimming, OPPD removes the branches and wood but not stumps. After storm or emergency trimming, the owner is left with the limbs.

Questions to ask a tree service

Have you worked near energized service lines, and who is arranging the disconnect?
Will you call 811 before grinding the stump?
Do you carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance? Our hiring checklist shows how to verify it.

After a storm, see our storm cleanup guide.

Want help finding a local tree service? Call (531) 227-5581 or send a request below.