BS5837 Tree Survey
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A BS5837 tree survey records the trees on and around a development site and shows how they can affect development. It is usually the first tree information a local planning authority (LPA) asks for when trees could be affected by a planning application. You receive a tree schedule and a Tree Constraints Plan, which your architect can design around. We carry out BS5837 surveys for homeowners, architects, developers and planning consultants, and send a free fixed-fee quote, usually within 12 hours.
What a BS5837 tree survey includes
The survey is carried out in accordance with BS5837:2012, the British Standard for trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. It covers trees, groups of trees, hedges and relevant woody vegetation on or near the site. The purpose is not simply to list trees: it identifies which trees are likely to be important constraints, which could more readily be removed or replaced, and how retained trees are likely to influence the design.
Tree data schedule
Each tree, group or woodland is recorded in a tree schedule, which normally includes:
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tree reference number
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species
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height
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stem diameter
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crown spread
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canopy clearance
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life stage
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condition
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estimated remaining contribution
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BS5837 retention category
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preliminary management recommendations, where relevant
Tree Constraints Plan
The Tree Constraints Plan (TCP) shows each surveyed tree on your site plan or topographical survey, with its crown spread and Root Protection Area (RPA), colour-coded by BS5837 retention category. The RPA is the minimum area around a retained tree where roots and soil structure should be protected, and it can have a significant influence on layout, access and construction methods. Your architect uses the TCP to see where building is practical and which trees the design needs to work around.
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Step 2: Review
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Step 3: Quote
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Step 4: Survey and report
Once you instruct us, we survey the site and issue the reports
Fill in the enquiry form, or email info@flowtrees.co.uk. Include the site address, any plans you have, and the wording of any request you've been given.
Professional arboricultural advice
Flow Tree Consultancy is an independent arboricultural consultancy led by a qualified arboricultural consultant with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Arboriculture and Forestry, Professional Membership of the Arboricultural Association, and a decade of industry experience.
This includes extensive experience providing BS5837 tree surveys and reports for planning and development projects. The same consultant quotes the job, carries out the site visit and writes the report, so you deal directly with the person doing the work.
We carry £1 million professional indemnity insurance and £5 million public liability insurance. You can find out more on our About page.
FAQs
For a planning application, your LPA decides. A survey is usually expected where trees on or next to the site could be affected by the work, or could affect it. It isn't only for planning: BS5837 is the standard for protecting trees during any design, demolition or construction work, so a survey is relevant to any development where trees are to be retained, including permitted development, demolition, driveways, hard surfacing and service runs near trees.
No, that's the usual position. Most people come to us because a planning officer, architect or validation checklist has asked for tree information once a layout exists. The survey tests the layout against the trees and shows where it may need adjusting.
Yes, if they could be affected by the development or could constrain it. Roots and canopies don't stop at the boundary.
The survey and Tree Constraints Plan are usually the first stage. Depending on your project and your LPA, they may lead to an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, which tests your design against the trees, and an Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan, which set out how retained trees will be protected during the build. Not every project needs every document; we'll tell you what yours is likely to need. See tree surveys for planning for the full process.
It is recommended wherever possible, because it gives an accurate base plan for plotting the tree positions. If you don't have one, we'll advise on the options; in most cases alternative mapping can be used.
BS5837 doesn’t set a fixed period. In our experience, most LPAs ask for the survey data to be updated once it is more than about two years old, or sooner if the trees or the site have changed.
A BS5837 survey and Tree Constraints Plan costs £249 to £750+, depending mainly on the number of trees, the size of the site and travel. See what affects the cost of a tree survey.