Are you a developer looking for a BS 5837:2012 tree survey to support a planning application? Are you planning development near trees and require a supporting tree report? Do you need expert advice in navigating the local authority planning process?

BS 5837:2012 tree surveys, and their associated reports, are a specialised service used in the process of proposing building work near trees. Our experience has been gained through many years of working with the various revisions of British Standard 5837, from its early days as BS5837:1980, through the major changes in BS5837:1991 and BS5837:2005, to its most recent update in BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction.

Our BS 5837:2012 tree surveys help you to maximise the value of your site. This includes our highlighting where tree protection efforts are worthwhile, and conversely where attempting to save an apparently healthy tree is in fact a waste of your time and effort.

We work with you in a collaborative way to increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome from the planning process. Our tree reports speak the same professional language as local authority planning and tree departments. Looking from another perspective, we have also built up good relationships with numerous tree-conscious architects, and can therefore provide recommendations where needed.

From our tree surveys, we produce architect-friendly, industry-standard AutoCAD plans highlighting tree value and identifying by colour-coding where special methods of construction to protect trees are proposed.

A typical BS 5837:2012 tree survey includes:

• an Arboricultural Impact Assessment of trees, according to the BS5837:2012 value categories (A1/A2/A3, B1/B2/B3, C1/C2/C3, and U)
• Calculation of Root Protection Areas (RPAs) for individual trees
• Estimation of safe useful life expectancy of trees

BS5837 reports are some of the most complex to produce, with the Standard specifying several deliverables that correspond to different stages of the project. They include the following.

Tree Value Assessment (TVA)

Coming fairly early on in the development process, a Tree Value Assessment provides a snapshot of the trees currently on the site. We evaluate the amenity value of all the present trees and calculate their root protection areas (RPAs). This permits the design, which at this point may not be very developed, to make the most of the tree assets, and to avoid causing unnecessary harm to any trees.

A Tree Value Assessment should not be confused with an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, which is a more comprehensive document that comes later in the process.

Tree Constraints Plan (TCP)

A Tree Constraints Plan is produced in conjunction with a Tree Value Assessment. It highlights where, if at all, trees impose constraints on possible development, and whether these constraints can be addressed. The precise methods used would be listed in a Arboricultural Method Statement, were the design to progress to the point of a planning application.

Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)

Put simply, the Arboricultural Impact Assessment details how the trees will (or will not) be affected. It feeds into the design process, allowing the proposed development to be precisely tailored to its environment. It is intended for submission as part of a planning application to the Local Planning Authority.

Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS)

This is a detailed specification of the exact methods that will be implemented on site to protect the trees.

It is a common mistake to assume that methods can be transplanted (no pun intended) from one site to another. In reality, methods may be highly tailored to specific sites; what is appropriate for trees on one site may not be suitable for trees next door.

(We have on occasion, with some wry amusement, discovered our own methods have been illegitimately copied and pasted by less scrupulous individuals into their own reports. While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery – and we acknowledge the incidental, if inadvertent, compliment – not only does it constitute both infringement of copyright law and our terms and conditions, but it also leaves the violator exposed to potentially inappropriate methods for their site. If you have been provided with a set of methods you suspect may not have been lawfully obtained, we will gladly review their suitability for you.)

We can produce any or all of the above according to your needs. Get in touch with us to book in a BS 5837:2012 survey at your convenience.

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