Public utility companies (gas, electricity, telephone, water, sewer, cable, etc.) often have easements to place utility transmission, distribution, or power lines on private property and access them for installation, repair, and maintenance—including removing or trimming trees that might interfere with transmission or distribution power lines, for example. These easements are known as utility easements or public utility easements.

In Alaska, public utility companies are typically granted utility easements to install, repair, and maintain their infrastructure on private property. These easements allow utilities to operate services such as gas, electricity, telephone, water, sewer, and cable. Utility easements are often established through agreements with property owners or by law, and they are recorded in the property's deed. The easement gives the utility company the right to use a specific portion of the property for its equipment and to access the area for maintenance purposes. This can include the right to trim or remove trees that may threaten the integrity of utility lines. Property owners cannot build structures or otherwise impede the utility's access to the easement area. If a property owner and a utility company cannot agree on the terms of an easement, the utility may be able to obtain the easement through eminent domain proceedings, where the government allows the compulsory acquisition of private property for public use, provided that just compensation is given.