What Is an Arboricultural Method Statement?
Retained trees can be affected not only by the final development layout, but also by the way demolition and construction work is organised and carried out.
Machinery movements, excavation, temporary access, service installation, changes in ground levels and the storage of materials can all damage roots, soil, stems or branches if suitable controls are not in place.
An Arboricultural Method Statement, commonly abbreviated to AMS, is a written document explaining how work close to retained trees will be undertaken. It sets out clear written instructions for how tree protection measures are to be implemented, how work near retained trees will be controlled, and which activities are to be avoided.
What is an Arboricultural Method Statement?
An Arboricultural Method Statement is a project-specific written document setting out how demolition, construction and associated site activities that could affect retained trees should be controlled.
Depending on the site and proposal, it may explain:
the sequence of relevant operations
when tree protection measures should be installed
how tree protection fencing and ground protection should be used
how access, storage and site setup should be controlled
methods for excavation or construction close to roots and canopies
how services and drainage should be installed near trees
which activities require arboricultural supervision
who is responsible for particular actions
how changes or unexpected site conditions should be managed.
An AMS may be prepared:
as additional information supporting a planning application
following an Arboricultural Impact Assessment
to address reserved matters
to discharge a planning condition
before relevant demolition or construction begins
alongside a Tree Protection Plan.
Not every project involving trees requires the same level of detail. The content of the AMS should reflect the site, the proposed development, the construction process and any relevant planning requirements.
How does an Arboricultural Method Statement fit into the BS5837 process?
An Arboricultural Method Statement usually forms part of a wider sequence of arboricultural input into design and construction.
The common stages include:
A BS5837 tree survey records the relevant trees and assesses their quality and condition.
A Tree Constraints Plan shows the principal tree-related constraints that should inform the design.
An Arboricultural Impact Assessment considers how the proposed development may affect the trees.
A Tree Protection Plan shows where tree protection measures and controlled working areas will apply.
An Arboricultural Method Statement explains how those measures and sensitive operations should be implemented.
The Tree Protection Plan and Arboricultural Method Statement are often prepared together, but they perform different functions.
For more detail on the drawing itself, see our guide to what a Tree Protection Plan is.
What does an Arboricultural Method Statement normally contain?
An AMS should respond to the actual development proposal and the realistic way in which the site will be demolished, accessed and constructed.
Its precise content will vary, but the following matters may be included where relevant.
Project responsibilities
The AMS may identify the people or organisations responsible for implementing and checking the tree protection measures.
Depending on the project, these may include:
the client or developer
the principal contractor or main contractor
the site manager
relevant subcontractors
the arboricultural consultant.
The document may also identify who should be contacted where clarification is needed or where a change to the agreed work is proposed.
Responsibilities should reflect the actual project arrangements. An AMS should not assign generic duties without considering the contractual and construction structure of the development.
Pre-commencement requirements
The AMS may set out actions that need to be completed before relevant demolition or construction activity begins.
These may include:
confirming the approved arboricultural documents
briefing the contractor and site team
undertaking specified tree works
installing tree protection fencing
installing ground protection measures
confirming approved access and storage areas
arranging further arboricultural inspections and supervision
This helps ensure that tree protection is established before machinery, materials or construction activity enter sensitive areas.
The exact requirements and sequence should be determined for the individual project.
Sequencing of demolition and construction
The order in which work takes place can be important to the protection of retained trees.
An AMS may explain when:
tree works are undertaken
protective fencing is installed
ground protection is laid
demolition begins
existing structures or surfaces are removed
construction access is formed
excavation takes place
services and drainage are installed
new hard surfaces are constructed
protection measures may be altered or removed.
There is no single sequence suitable for every development. The document should reflect the proposed construction process and the relationship between the work and the trees.
Tree protection fencing
The Tree Protection Plan shows where protective fencing is positioned. The AMS may explain how that fencing should be implemented and managed.
This may include:
the required fencing specification
when the fencing should be erected
how it should be secured
what signs should be attached
how long it should remain in place
The specification should be appropriate to the level and type of construction activity expected near the retained trees.
Ground protection
Where access or working space is required within a Root Protection Area, the AMS may provide details of the required ground protection.
This may address:
the type of protection
the surface or supporting layer beneath it
the anticipated loading
the method of installation
the vehicles, machinery or activities permitted to use it
how it should be maintained
how and when it should be removed.
The Tree Protection Plan shows the extent of the ground-protected area, while the AMS explains how that protection should function.
Ground protection should be designed for the site conditions and expected use rather than selected as a generic detail.
Working within Root Protection Areas
Where work cannot entirely avoid a Root Protection Area, the AMS may set out controlled working methods intended to reduce the risk of damage to roots and soil.
Depending on the proposal, this could include:
controlled excavation
excavation using suitable hand-held tools
root-sensitive removal of existing surfaces
no-dig construction
low-impact access arrangements
restrictions on machinery
protection of exposed roots
arboricultural supervision.
Work within an RPA should be based on project-specific arboricultural assessment. A generic method should not be assumed to be appropriate for every tree or site.
Excavation close to trees
Excavation has the potential to sever roots, disturb soil and affect tree stability or health.
Where excavation is proposed close to retained trees, the AMS may explain:
the permitted location, depth and extent of excavation
the equipment or tools that may be used
what should happen where significant roots are encountered
how exposed roots should be protected
how the excavation should be backfilled
when arboricultural supervision is required.
The method should correspond with the area shown on the Tree Protection Plan and the actual construction requirement.
The AMS should provide enough information for the site team to understand the controls without presenting a generic procedure as suitable for all circumstances.
Services and drainage
Service trenches, drainage runs and associated excavations can affect retained trees even where the main building work is outside the Root Protection Area.
An AMS may explain how services or drainage close to trees should be installed.
This may include:
avoiding sensitive areas where practicable
coordinating routes with the Tree Protection Plan
using trenchless installation methods where appropriate
using controlled excavation for shallow runs
positioning access pits or inspection chambers away from roots
providing arboricultural supervision where necessary.
The arboricultural consultant's role is to assess how its location and installation relate to retained trees and to advise on suitable controls to minimise impact.
Demolition close to retained trees
Demolition can affect trees through machinery movements, falling debris, excavation, removal of hard surfaces and temporary access requirements.
Where demolition is proposed close to retained trees, the AMS may set out:
the sequence of demolition
the working direction
the permitted position of machinery
how existing hard surfaces should be treated
how debris should be contained or removed
what access restrictions apply
when arboricultural supervision is required.
The method should reflect the existing structures, the retained trees and the practical requirements of the demolition contractor.
Access, storage and site setup
The way a construction site is arranged can have a significant effect on retained trees.
An AMS may control:
vehicle and plant movements
contractor access
delivery routes
material and spoil storage
contractor parking
site compounds
welfare facilities
cement mixing
fuel or chemical storage
fires
scaffolding
temporary working areas.
These controls should correspond with the areas shown on the Tree Protection Plan.
Where site requirements are not considered early enough, tree protection measures may later conflict with access, storage or working space. The AMS should therefore reflect realistic construction arrangements rather than relying on generic restrictions.
Proposed tree works
Some projects require tree work before or during development.
The AMS may refer to:
removals required to implement the development
pruning to provide access or working clearance
remedial tree work
specific root pruning, only where this has been separately assessed and justified
work needed to establish a suitable level of tree-related risk for the proposed use.
Tree works should be specified separately where appropriate and should take account of any Tree Preservation Order, Conservation Area controls, planning conditions or other relevant restrictions.
The AMS should not be treated as permission to undertake tree work where separate consent or notification is required.
Arboricultural supervision and monitoring
Arboricultural supervision and monitoring can help ensure that sensitive work is carried out in accordance with the approved documents.
An AMS may identify stages requiring:
inspection of installed fencing and ground protection
attendance during controlled excavation
supervision of surface removal within an RPA
monitoring during demolition or construction close to trees
inspection following changes or damage to protection measures
photographic records
reporting to the client, contractor or local planning authority where required.
Not every project requires the same level of supervision or monitoring.
The need, frequency and scope should reflect the complexity of the work, the sensitivity of the trees and any planning requirements.
Unexpected roots or site conditions
Construction sites do not always correspond exactly with the available drawings or assumptions made during design.
An AMS may therefore include a procedure for unexpected findings, such as:
significant roots in an excavation
unrecorded services
unsuitable ground conditions
damage to fencing or ground protection
changes to access or storage requirements
proposed alterations to the approved work.
The document may require work in the affected area to stop while advice is obtained and the implications are assessed.
This helps prevent unplanned changes from being made in ways that could damage retained trees or conflict with approved arboricultural information.
What is the difference between an Arboricultural Method Statement and a Tree Protection Plan?
An Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan are commonly prepared as a coordinated package, but they are separate documents.
The Tree Protection Plan is primarily a scaled drawing showing:
where tree protection measures are located
which areas are protected
where controlled working may occur
how the protection strategy relates to the proposed development.
The Arboricultural Method Statement is primarily a written document explaining:
how the protection measures should be installed and used
when sensitive work should take place
how work close to retained trees should be carried out
who is responsible for relevant actions
where supervision or monitoring may be required.
For example:
the TPP shows where fencing is positioned
the AMS explains when it should be installed, its specification and how it should be maintained.
Similarly:
the TPP shows where controlled excavation applies
the AMS explains how that excavation should be undertaken.
Flow Tree Consultancy normally provides the two documents as a coordinated service so that the written methods correspond with the drawing.
When might an Arboricultural Method Statement be needed?
An AMS may be needed where demolition, construction or temporary site operations could affect retained trees.
This may include situations where:
a planning condition requires an Arboricultural Method Statement before development starts
a planning condition requires detailed tree protection information
demolition or construction is proposed close to trees
access is required within or close to a Root Protection Area
existing hard surfaces or structures are to be removed near trees
excavation is proposed close to roots
new services or drainage are required near retained trees
ground levels or hard surfaces are to be altered
no-dig or other specialist construction methods are proposed
work requires arboricultural supervision
contractors need clear written instructions for working close to trees.
The need for an AMS and its level of detail will depend on the site, the proposed work and any relevant planning requirements.
When should an Arboricultural Method Statement be prepared?
The appropriate timing depends on the stage of the project and the information available.
An AMS may be submitted as additional information with a planning application where the local planning authority needs to understand whether sensitive work can be carried out without unacceptable effects on retained trees.
In other cases, an outline AMS or preliminary method information (also known as a heads of terms method statement) may be provided during the planning stage, with a more detailed AMS prepared later to address reserved matters or discharge a planning condition.
A detailed AMS is most useful when sufficient information is available about:
demolition requirements
access and site setup
the proposed construction sequence
service and drainage routes
ground levels
temporary working space
tree protection measures
any specialist construction methods.
Preparing the document before these matters are understood may result in methods that do not correspond with the eventual construction process.
However, leaving the AMS until work is about to begin can reduce the opportunity to resolve conflicts through design and coordination.
Who should follow the Arboricultural Method Statement?
The AMS may be relevant to:
the client or developer
the principal contractor or main contractor
the site manager
demolition contractors
groundworkers
utility and drainage contractors
other relevant subcontractors
the arboricultural consultant.
The document should be available to those organising and carrying out the work.
Its requirements may also need to be incorporated into tender information, construction drawings, site inductions, briefings and contractor method statements where appropriate.
An AMS should not exist only as a document submitted to the local planning authority. Its purpose is to guide the relevant work on site.
Common misunderstandings about Arboricultural Method Statements
An AMS is not the same as a Tree Protection Plan
The Tree Protection Plan shows where protection measures and controlled working areas apply. The AMS explains how the measures should be implemented and how the work should be carried out.
An AMS should be project-specific
Generic wording is unlikely to address the actual trees, site layout, access arrangements or construction methods.
It is not simply a planning document
Although an AMS may be submitted with a planning application or to discharge a condition, it should also provide useful instructions for the people carrying out the work.
It should reflect realistic construction methods
An AMS that does not consider access, demolition, services, working space and sequencing may be difficult or impossible to implement.
It may require input from the wider project team
The arboricultural consultant may need information from the architect, engineer, drainage designer, contractors or other specialists before the document can be finalised.
It does not guarantee planning approval or discharge of a condition
The AMS is one part of the information considered by the local planning authority. Other planning and technical matters may also affect the decision.
The required level of detail varies
A straightforward domestic project and a large redevelopment are unlikely to require the same methods, sequencing or monitoring arrangements.
Professional arboricultural advice
Flow Tree Consultancy is led by a qualified arboricultural consultant with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, Professional Membership of the Arboricultural Association, LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection training, and a decade of industry experience.
This includes extensive experience providing arboricultural input for planning and development projects, including BS5837 reports, tree protection measures, Arboricultural Method Statements and construction-stage arboricultural advice.
You can find out more about Flow Tree Consultancy’s qualifications, experience and professional approach on the About page.
Arboricultural Method Statements for development and construction
Where development or construction could affect retained trees, Flow Tree Consultancy can prepare coordinated Arboricultural Method Statements and Tree Protection Plans to support planning applications, discharge conditions and provide clear guidance for the project team.
We provide planning and development arboricultural services across Kent, Sussex, London, Surrey and Hampshire.
Find out more about our Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan service, read our guide to what a Tree Protection Plan is, explore our wider Planning and Development services, or contact Flow Tree Consultancy to discuss your project.
