Inspection · Home purchase
Tree Inspection Before Buying a Home
A standard home inspection looks at trees only where they touch the house. It does not tell you whether the large oak over the bedroom has decay, whether the ash trees are dying or whether the city protects the tree you planned to remove. A tree inspection during the option period answers those questions.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
Does a home inspection cover trees?
Mostly no. Home inspectors generally note vegetation that touches the roof or siding or affects drainage. They do not assess tree health, decay, root problems or legal protection. A certified arborist can do that, usually in an hour or two on a typical lot.
- Home inspector
- Branches on the roof, roots near the foundation, trees affecting drainage.
- Arborist
- Health, structure, decay, pests, risk of failure and protected status.
- Timing
- During the inspection or option period, before the right to negotiate ends.
What the inspection looks at
- Trees within reach of the house
- Any tree that could hit the house if it fell, especially over bedrooms.
- Dead and declining trees
- Including ash trees in emerald ash borer areas and pines with beetle damage.
- Structural defects
- Weak forks, cracks, cavities and old topping cuts.
- Root damage
- From driveways, additions or utility trenches.
- Neighbor trees
- Trees on adjacent lots that lean over the property.
- Protected trees
- Trees large enough to need a city permit to remove.
Findings that change the picture
| Finding | Why it matters | What buyers often do |
|---|---|---|
| Large dead tree near the house | Removal will be needed soon | Ask the seller to remove it before closing |
| Decay in a big oak over the roof | May need removal or reduction | Request a credit or further assessment |
| Several ash trees in an infested area | Ongoing treatment or removal | Factor into plans and negotiation |
| Heritage tree on the building site | May block planned additions | Check permit rules before closing |
| Roots in the sewer line | Plumbing repair likely | Add a sewer camera inspection |
How the inspection is done
Walk the property
Every significant tree is looked at from the ground.
Check the base and roots
Mushrooms, cavities, soil heaving and buried flares.
Look at the crown
Dead wood, dieback, weak forks.
Note protected status
Trunk diameters are measured against local thresholds.
Write it up
A short report with photos and recommendations.
Things a buyer can spot on a walk-through
Bare branches in summer
Dead wood or a dying tree.
Mushrooms at the base
Possible root decay.
Recent grading near trees
Root damage often shows years later.
Fresh stumps
Ask why trees were removed.
Using the findings
A tree report gives buyers specific facts to bring to the seller. A dead tree over the house is a defect much like a failing roof. Sellers may agree to remove it, or to adjust terms, especially when the report is from an independent arborist.
It is also useful for plans. If you want to add a garage where a large protected tree stands, the report will tell you whether that is likely to be allowed. City rules on protected trees are covered on pages such as Atlanta and Austin.
Quick walk-through or formal assessment
Walk-through
- Visual check of all trees
- Short written summary
- Fits within a normal option period
Formal risk assessment
- Detailed evaluation of specific trees
- May include tools to test for decay
- Useful for large, old trees over the house
Start with a walk-through. If it flags a large tree over the house, follow with a tree risk assessment.
Pre-purchase tree questions
Is a tree inspection worth it for a new-build home?
Often more so. Construction damages roots, and trees on new lots can decline over the following five years.
Can the seller be required to remove a dead tree?
That is a matter of negotiation in the purchase contract, not a legal requirement in most places.
Do lenders care about trees?
Rarely, unless a tree is visibly damaging the house.
Can I inspect trees on a neighboring property?
From your side of the line and with the seller's permission. The neighbor's tree is still the neighbor's to manage.
Talk to a tree inspection before buying a home provider
Call to be connected with an independent tree service company near you.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day