Tree trimming in Chattanooga

What tree trimming costs in Chattanooga

Homeyou says its medium-tree figure covers about two hours of work plus equipment. Neither source says how many jobs its numbers come from. See all Chattanooga tree costs.

Branches from a neighbor's tree

In Lane v. W.J. Curry & Sons (2002), the Tennessee Supreme Court said a neighbor may cut encroaching branches and roots back to the property line, at their own expense, whether or not the tree is a nuisance.

The same ruling says the tree's owner may be responsible when encroaching branches or roots cause actual harm, or pose an imminent danger of it, to the property next door. Shade and falling leaves, flowers or fruit aren't enough.

Talk to your neighbor before cutting. This is general information and isn't legal advice. More in who pays when a neighbor's tree falls.

Trees between the sidewalk and the street

The city requires a Tree Ordinance Permit, listed at $500, for any work on a tree on the public right-of-way or a city-owned parcel. The city pages we checked don't say whether the strip between the sidewalk and the street counts as public land, so ask Urban Forestry at [email protected] before anyone cuts.

You can also ask the city to prune a public tree through 311. In the city's published data, residents filed 683 tree pruning requests between April 2025 and early November 2026. Read what happened to those requests.

Limbs near power lines

EPB says to be careful with ladders and pruning equipment around power lines, and to call a professional to trim limbs near them. If a limb is already touching a line, stay away and call 911.

What to ask before you hire

• Proof of insurance. Ask for a current certificate.
• A written description of the work: which limbs come off, roughly how much of the tree, and whether cleanup and hauling are included.
• How they'll reach the limbs, by climbing or with a lift. It affects the price and what happens to your lawn.
• A written price before work starts.