Trees are easy to overlook on a house hunt, especially on the wooded lots that are so common around Chattanooga. But a dying oak over the bedroom or a row of dead ash along the driveway can cost thousands to deal with after closing. Here’s what to check before you buy.
Walk the lot and look up
- Dead or thin crowns. Bare branches at the top of a tree in summer, or a tree that leafs out much later than its neighbors.
- Big trees within striking distance. Any large tree close enough to hit the house, garage or driveway if it fell.
- Leaning trees, especially with cracked or raised soil on one side.
- Splits, cavities and mushrooms at the base or on the trunk.
- Limbs over the roof that rub shingles or fill gutters.
- Ash trees. Emerald ash borer has been in Chattanooga since 2013. An untreated ash is likely dying or dead.
- Bradford pears. Common in Chattanooga yards and prone to splitting as they age.
Lot-specific questions
Steep lots. On Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain and the ridges, tree work often needs climbing or a crane. A removal that would cost $800 in a flat yard might cost twice that on a slope.
New construction. Trees left standing next to a newly built house in Ooltewah or East Brainerd often decline a few years later because their roots were damaged during grading. Look for thinning and dead branches.
Lakefront and creek lots. Trees on banks lean toward the water and the light, and wet soil makes them easier to blow over.
Storm history. In areas hit by the 2020 or 2011 tornadoes, ask whether trees on the lot were damaged and left standing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has any tree work been done recently, and by whom?
- Have any trees or limbs fallen in the last few years?
- Are any trees shared with a neighbor or on the property line?
- Are there HOA rules about removing trees?
- Are any trees in the city right-of-way?
Get an estimate before closing
A home inspection usually doesn’t cover trees. If you see problems, get a written estimate for the tree work during your inspection period. It gives you a real number to negotiate with, or at least to budget for.
Call (423) 275-4820 and we’ll connect you with a local crew for a free written estimate, usually within a few days.
Need a tree crew around Chattanooga?
Call (423) 275-4820 or send a few details. We’ll match you with an independent local crew for a free written estimate, usually the same day.