Aerial view of a neighborhood with damaged roofs and downed trees after a severe storm

Tree Risk Assessment · Statewide

Tree Risk Assessment in Tennessee

Tree Risk Assessment in Tennessee: a tree risk assessment is an arborist's evaluation of how likely a tree (or part of it) is to fail, what it would hit, and how bad the consequences would be. Locally, tornadoes and severe storms: Nashville's March 2020 and December 2023 tornadoes destroyed trees across whole neighborhoods.

Call for tree service

By calling, you agree that your call may be recorded and routed to an independent local tree-service provider, who may call or text you back about your request. Calling is free and does not obligate you to hire anyone. See our Privacy Policy.

Free to call
Independent local providers
You decide

Tree problems in Tennessee that call for arborist risk assessment

1
Tornadoes and severe storms
Nashville's March 2020 and December 2023 tornadoes destroyed trees across whole neighborhoods.
2
Shallow soils over limestone
In Middle Tennessee, trees root shallowly and uproot in saturated ground.
3
Ice storms
Freezing rain splits pears, maples and hackberries and brings limbs onto lines.

What tree risk assessment covers

A tree risk assessment is an arborist's evaluation of how likely a tree (or part of it) is to fail, what it would hit, and how bad the consequences would be.

How tree risk assessment works, step by step

Describe the tree and what it's near, and you'll reach an independent provider serving Tennessee.

Call for tree service

Trees in Tennessee that most often need arborist risk assessment

Hackberry: Very common; decay-prone and short-lived
Callery (Bradford) pear: Splits at narrow forks; widespread in subdivisions
White and southern red oak: Large, valuable shade trees

Timing in Tennessee

Winter: Dormant-season pruning; ice storm risk
Spring: Peak severe-storm and tornado season
Late fall: Secondary severe-weather season (December 2023)

Tree rules and permits in Tennessee

Tennessee leaves tree rules to local government; in Nashville, Metro approval is needed for right-of-way trees, not for trees in your own yard.
In Metro Nashville, single-family and duplex owners generally don't need a Metro permit to remove a tree on their own land, unless it's in the public right-of-way, a protected or heritage tree, or part of a subdivision or site plan. Right-of-way trees need Urban Forestry approval.

Sources (checked 2026-10-01)

Rules change and details depend on your exact property. Confirm with the city or county before work starts. This isn't legal advice.

What affects the price of arborist risk assessment in Tennessee

The usual drivers are size, access, what's under the tree and cleanup; see the full list for arborist risk assessment.

Tree Risk Assessment in Tennessee: common questions

Do I need a permit for tree Risk Assessment in Tennessee?

Tennessee leaves tree rules to local government; in Nashville, Metro approval is needed for right-of-way trees, not for trees in your own yard. In Metro Nashville, single-family and duplex owners generally don't need a Metro permit to remove a tree on their own land, unless it's in the public right-of-way, a protected or heritage tree, or part of a subdivision or site plan. Right-of-way trees need Urban Forestry approval.

Which trees in Tennessee most often need arborist risk assessment?

Hackberry: very common; decay-prone and short-lived Callery (Bradford) pear: splits at narrow forks; widespread in subdivisions White and southern red oak: large, valuable shade trees

When is the best time for arborist risk assessment in Tennessee?

Winter: Dormant-season pruning; ice storm risk Spring: Peak severe-storm and tornado season

Tornadoes and severe storms: what does it mean for arborist risk assessment in Tennessee?

Nashville's March 2020 and December 2023 tornadoes destroyed trees across whole neighborhoods.

Shallow soils over limestone: what does it mean for arborist risk assessment in Tennessee?

In Middle Tennessee, trees root shallowly and uproot in saturated ground.

Ice storms: what does it mean for arborist risk assessment in Tennessee?

Freezing rain splits pears, maples and hackberries and brings limbs onto lines.

Other tree services in Tennessee

Tree Risk Assessment nearby

More about Tennessee: tree removal in Tennessee · all locations

Need arborist risk assessment in Tennessee?

Call to reach an independent tree-service provider that serves Tennessee. Calling is free and you decide whether to hire anyone.

Call for tree service