What Is Included in a BS5837 Tree Survey Report?

If you are preparing a planning application where trees are on or close to the site, you may need a BS5837 tree survey report.

This type of report is used where trees may affect, or be affected by, proposed development. It helps identify tree-related constraints early so that layouts, access, levels, construction methods and tree protection can be properly considered.

A BS5837 report is not just a list of trees. It is a planning and design document that helps homeowners, architects, developers and planning consultants understand how existing trees relate to a proposed development site.

The exact contents of a report will depend on the site, the project and any specific information required by the local planning authority. In most cases, a BS5837 tree survey report will include a site visit, tree schedule and Tree Constraints Plan, although the exact scope should reflect the site, proposal and planning requirements.

Who is a BS5837 tree survey report for?

A BS5837 tree survey report may be needed by anyone preparing or supporting a planning application where trees are relevant.

This can include:

• homeowners planning an extension, new dwelling, driveway or garden development;

• architects developing a layout or design proposal;

• developers assessing site constraints;

• planning consultants preparing or coordinating a planning submission;

• designers working around retained trees;

• project teams responding to comments from a local planning authority.

The report is particularly useful where trees are present within the site, close to the boundary, or on neighbouring land where their crowns or roots may influence the proposed works.

For more detail on this service, see Flow Tree Consultancy’s Planning and Development page.

If you are still unsure whether a report is needed, you may also find our guide to Do I Need a BS5837 Tree Survey for My Planning Application? useful.

What is normally included in a BS5837 tree survey report?

A BS5837 tree survey report usually brings together written information, survey data and tree-related plans. Its purpose is to identify relevant trees, explain their constraints and help the design or planning process respond to them.

The sections below explain the main elements commonly included.

1. Desktop research

The process starts with desktop research into known site constraints. This can include checking available information on Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Areas, soil type, ancient woodland, veteran trees and other relevant planning or environmental constraints.

Where necessary, the local planning authority may be contacted or its online mapping reviewed. The level of desktop research required will depend on the site, the proposal and the information already available.

This research helps identify whether there are known constraints that may affect the scope of the survey, the planning process or the recommendations made in the report.

2. Site visit and tree survey

During the survey, relevant trees on or near the site are inspected from ground level. This normally includes trees within the site boundary, as well as trees on neighbouring land where they could influence the design or construction process.

The survey records information about each relevant tree, group of trees, hedge or woodland feature. This includes:

• species;

• height;

• stem diameter;

• crown spread;

• crown height;

• life stage;

• general condition;

• estimated remaining contribution;

• BS5837 retention category;

• preliminary management recommendations, where relevant.

The survey is visual and ground-based. It is designed to support planning and design decisions, rather than provide a detailed tree safety inspection.

3. Tree schedule

The tree schedule presents the survey information in a structured table.

This allows the project team and local planning authority to understand the trees recorded during the survey. It also provides the technical information needed for plans and further arboricultural assessment.

A tree schedule will commonly include:

• tree reference number;

• species;

• height;

• stem diameter;

• crown spread;

• crown height;

• condition;

• estimated remaining contribution;

• BS5837 retention category;

• preliminary management recommendations, where relevant.

The reference numbers in the schedule will correspond with the numbers shown on the accompanying plan. This makes it easier to cross-reference the written report, data table and drawings.

4. Tree Constraints Plan

A Tree Constraints Plan shows the main tree-related constraints that should be considered during design.

This is often the most useful part of a BS5837 tree survey report, particularly before a layout has been finalised. It helps show where retained trees may influence the available development area, access, levels, services, drainage, hard surfacing and construction space.

A Tree Constraints Plan will commonly show:

• the existing site layout;

• tree stem positions;

• tree reference numbers;

• crown spreads;

• Root Protection Areas;

• tree retention categories;

• groups of trees, woodland edges or hedges where relevant;

• other important tree-related constraints where appropriate.

For architects and designers, the Tree Constraints Plan can help avoid design conflicts before they become planning issues. For homeowners and developers, it can make the relationship between trees and the proposed development much easier to understand.

5. Root Protection Areas

A Root Protection Area, often shortened to RPA, is the minimum area around a tree that should be protected to ensure an adequate rooting volume to support the tree.

Roots are not visible above ground, so RPAs provide a practical way of identifying the area around a tree where construction activity needs careful control. This may influence where excavation, foundations, hard surfacing, level changes, storage, site access or service runs can be located, or how they can be installed.

RPAs are calculated in accordance with BS5837. They are shown on the Tree Constraints Plan and, later in the process, may also be shown on an Arboricultural Impact Assessment plan or Tree Protection Plan.

The presence of an RPA does not automatically mean development cannot happen nearby. It does mean the design and construction method need to consider how the tree can be protected and how any impact can be avoided or mitigated.

6. Tree retention categories

BS5837 uses tree retention categories to help identify the quality and value of trees in the context of development.

In broad terms:

• Category A trees are higher-quality trees;

• Category B trees are moderate-quality trees;

• Category C trees are lower-quality trees;

• Category U trees are unsuitable for retention.

These categories help inform design decisions. For example, higher-quality trees are usually more important to consider retaining and designing around, while lower-quality trees may offer fewer constraints depending on the site and proposal.

The category is not the only factor that matters. The final design response will also depend on tree position, site layout, planning context, amenity value, construction requirements and the wider aims of the development.

7. Recommendations and next steps

A BS5837 tree survey report may identify whether further arboricultural information is needed.

Depending on the site and proposal, this could include:

• an Arboricultural Impact Assessment;

• a Tree Protection Plan;

• an Arboricultural Method Statement;

• Arboricultural Clerk of Works input during construction.

Not every project needs every document. A straightforward householder application may need less information than a larger redevelopment site with retained trees close to construction activity.

What a BS5837 tree survey report is not

A BS5837 tree survey report is prepared for planning, design, demolition and construction purposes.

In particular, it is not a suitable replacement for:

• a detailed tree safety inspection;

• a mortgage tree report;

• a subsidence investigation;

• a heave risk assessment;

• a tree surgery specification.

If a different type of tree assessment is needed, such as a tree condition survey or pre-purchase tree report, that should be scoped separately.

Common misunderstandings about BS5837 tree survey reports

“A BS5837 report is only needed for large developments.”

Not always. BS5837 reports can also be relevant for house extensions, replacement dwellings, new driveways, garden plots, outbuildings and smaller residential projects where trees are close enough to matter.

“The Tree Constraints Plan is the same as a Tree Protection Plan.”

They are different documents.

A Tree Constraints Plan helps inform design by showing tree-related constraints. A Tree Protection Plan shows how retained trees will be protected during demolition or construction.

A project may need one or both, depending on the stage and planning requirements.

“The report guarantees planning permission.”

A BS5837 report does not guarantee planning permission. It provides arboricultural information to support the planning process and help the local planning authority understand tree-related impacts.

Planning decisions can involve many other issues, including design, highways, ecology, drainage, heritage, policy and neighbour impacts.

“The same report is suitable for every site.”

The level of detail needed depends on the site, the proposal and the planning context. A simple domestic extension may need a more focused report, while a larger development may need a fuller package including impact assessment, method statement and tree protection details.

“Trees outside the site do not need to be considered.”

Neighbouring trees can still be relevant. Their canopies or Root Protection Areas may extend into the site, and construction activity close to the boundary could still affect them.

“I don’t need planning permission, so a BS5837 survey is not relevant.”

BS5837 documentation is not only relevant to full planning applications. The standard can also be applied to design, demolition or construction work close to trees.

This may be particularly relevant where permitted development is proposed close to protected trees, or where tree constraints still need to be understood before work starts.

Why the report matters

A good BS5837 tree survey report helps identify tree constraints early, when they can still influence the design.

This can reduce the risk of avoidable delays, redesign, late objections or planning conditions that require further information.

For homeowners, it can provide clarity before submitting an application. For architects and planning consultants, it provides the tree information needed to coordinate the design and planning submission. For developers, it can help assess constraints and manage risk before decisions become costly to change.

Need a BS5837 tree survey report?

Flow Tree Consultancy provides BS5837 surveys and arboricultural reports for planning applications across Kent, Sussex, London, Surrey and Hampshire.

If you are preparing a planning application and trees may be affected by the proposal, Flow Tree Consultancy can provide clear, practical arboricultural advice to support the design and planning process.

For more information, visit the Planning and Development service page, or send an enquiry through our webform.

Where possible, include the site address, existing plans, proposed drawings, a red line boundary plan, a topographical survey if available, and any comments already received from the local planning authority.

About Flow Tree Consultancy

Flow Tree Consultancy is an independent arboricultural consultancy providing clear, professional advice on tree-related matters, including planning and development, tree safety and property risk.

The consultancy provides BS5837 surveys and arboricultural reports for planning applications, helping homeowners, architects, developers and planning consultants understand tree constraints and provide clear arboricultural information to support the planning process.