What causes a tree is on the power line / there are sparks outside?
Growth into the wire corridor between the utility's scheduled clearance cycles, or a failure further up the tree that dropped a limb across the span. Fast-growing species planted directly under distribution lines decades ago are the recurring source.
What you'd see
A limb or trunk lying across a wire, a span sagging much lower than its neighbors, arcing, buzzing or popping sounds, scorched or smoking bark, lights browning out or only part of the house having power. A conductor can also be lying in wet grass looking completely inert.
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