BS5837 Surveys and Reports

This tree survey produces a report which aims to give recommendations and guidance on the relationship between trees and construction, during all phases of the proposed planning and development in line with British Standard 5837:2012. It sets out the procedures and principles to be applied to achieve a sustainable relationship between trees and structures.

Where trees are within influence of a development site it is likely that the local authority will request that the planning application is submitted alongside a BS5837 report.

We use digital mapping to aid the process of this and can work along side the planners and architects by importing CAD drawing into our system to annotate with the tree data. 

What is the process?

The process is carried out over 3 stages.

The first stage starts once we receive the site plans carried out by the principal surveyor (for small sites such as extensions and conservatories we can produce the mapping for you). The mapping is uploaded onto our computer and tablet which are taken to the site and used to record information on all trees and stumps within the influence of the site. The information recorded is specified by BS5837.

Once the data is recorded a plan of tree constraints (PTC) is produced which shows the physical constraints imposed by the trees on the site. A preliminary arboriculture impact assessment (AIA) is provided stating the potential impacts to both the development and trees and suggests ways to lessen these impacts. The PTC and preliminary AIA is passed back to the architects and planners to aid in reaching the final design.

The second stage is the final design process where the architects and planners reach the final decision on the plans to be submitted. We would be available to offer further advice regarding the trees during this stage.

The third stage, once the final design is complete, is to produce the final AIA in a report format and provided with the arboricultural method statement (AMS) and tree protection plan (TPP) shall state any actions and specifics required to implement the proposed plans.