Chattanooga sits in a valley ringed by ridges, and most neighborhoods are full of mature hardwoods. That shade is a big part of the city's character, but it also means summer thunderstorms and the occasional winter ice storm bring limbs down on roofs, fences and driveways every year.
Tree work is one of the few home services where a mistake can hurt someone or damage a house in seconds. This page explains the common services, the local rules that apply in Chattanooga, and the questions worth asking any tree company before they start cutting.
Common tree services in Chattanooga
Emergency tree removal
A tree on a roof, car or driveway is removed in sections so pieces do not fall on the structure again. If any part touches a power line, the utility has to make the line safe first; nobody else should touch it.
Hazard assessment
An arborist looks for decay, cracks, root damage, dead limbs and lean. A written assessment helps you decide between pruning and removal, and some insurers ask for one before paying for removal of a tree that looks healthy.
Trimming and pruning
Good pruning removes dead, crossing and weak limbs with cuts at the branch collar, following the ANSI A300 standard. Topping a tree, cutting the main stems back to stubs, weakens it and invites rot.
Stump grinding
A grinder chews the stump below the soil line so the spot can be replanted or covered with sod. Ask how deep they grind and whether the chips are hauled away or left for you as mulch.
Storm cleanup
After a storm the priority is anything touching the house, blocking the driveway or hanging overhead. Leave broken limbs caught in the canopy, known as hangers, to a crew with ropes and climbing gear.
Lot and brush clearing
Clearing for a fence line, addition or garden includes cutting, hauling and grinding. For larger land clearing tied to development, the city has separate permit rules.
Tree rules and power lines in Chattanooga
Most homeowners can remove a tree on their own private property without a city permit. The exceptions matter, though: trees in or near a public right-of-way, sidewalk or street are public trees, and removing or disturbing a public tree requires a permit through the City of Chattanooga's Urban Forestry program. The city's updated tree ordinance mainly targets land clearing for new development, which has its own retention and replanting requirements.
Power lines are EPB's territory. If a tree or large limb threatens a primary line, the highest wires on the pole, EPB will inspect it and trim or remove what is inside its right-of-way. Call EPB at 423-648-1372 before anyone works near those lines. Trees near the service drop, the single line running to your house, are usually the homeowner's responsibility, but the work still needs someone trained for it.
Before you hire a tree company
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, you could be the one facing the claim.
- Ask whether an ISA-certified arborist will assess the tree, and check the credential yourself.
- Get the price in writing, including cleanup, hauling and stump grinding. Those are often quoted separately.
- Be wary of door-to-door crews after a storm who ask for full payment up front.
- If the tree is near the street or sidewalk, confirm whether it is a public tree before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my Chattanooga yard?
Usually not, if the tree is on your private property. Trees in or near the public right-of-way, sidewalk or street are public trees and need a permit from the city's Urban Forestry program.
Who trims trees touching power lines?
EPB handles trees that threaten primary distribution lines inside its right-of-way. Call 423-648-1372 and do not let anyone else work near those lines until EPB has looked at them.
Is topping a tree a good way to make it smaller?
No. Topping leaves large wounds and stubs that decay, and the regrowth is weakly attached. Crown reduction pruning to a lateral branch is the better way to reduce size.
What happens to the wood and chips?
It depends on the company. Some haul everything away, some leave logs cut to firewood length or chips for mulch. Agree on this before the job starts.
When is the best time to prune?
Dead or dangerous limbs can be removed any time. Routine structural pruning is often done in late winter while trees are dormant and branch structure is easy to see.