On August 10, 1997, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6270H, collided with a tree during an attempted forced landing in Dunlap, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Dallas Bay Airport, Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 1400. According to the pilot, while he was returning back from a personal flight, the engine began to cough. The engine was "coughing in irregular intervals and there was a clear loss of power and altitude." He chose a field and headed for it. The pilot stated as he got closer to the field he realized he was headed for some trees. He attempted to go-around when the engine fully quit. The airplane came to rest 30 feet above the ground hanging from some oak trees. The pilot stated he and his passenger were able to climb down the tree. The pilot believed he had an hour of fuel left in the tanks. The FAA conducted an on site examination of the wreckage. About four to six gallons of fuel were found in the fuel tanks. Compression was found on all four cylinders. The FAA inspector examining the airplane stated he could not rotate the propeller 360 degrees due to the starter ring gear grinding the starter housing when the propeller rotated. The FAA inspector stated four bolts were missing from the hub due to the spinner hitting a tree. Flight control continuity was observed and the cables were intact between the instrument panel and the engine.