BS 5837 Tree Surveys

BS 5837:2012 (often written BS5837), in full "Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction", is the British Standard that sets out how trees are surveyed, categorised and protected wherever trees and development meet. It applies across the UK and Ireland, it is the standard planning authorities in Northern Ireland and Ireland expect tree survey work to follow, and every survey we produce is carried out to it.

The standard grades each tree from category A to U, calculates a root protection area for every retained tree, and drives the Tree Protection Plan that accompanies your application. For a plain-English walk through the categories and what they mean for your project, read our guide BS 5837:2012 explained, or start with what an arboricultural survey is.

A tree survey is required whenever a planning application involves land with trees on it, or close enough to be affected by the proposed work. Planning authorities across Northern Ireland and Ireland routinely ask for a BS 5837 tree survey with applications for new homes, extensions, housing developments and commercial schemes. A survey may also be needed before demolition, or where construction takes place near protected or mature trees. Our article on five situations when a tree survey is necessary covers the most common cases.

We carry out BS 5837 tree surveys across Northern Ireland and Ireland to the UK standard, BS 5837:2012. The best time to commission tree surveying is early in the design stage. Surveying trees before the layout is fixed means constraints can shape the proposal, which usually avoids costly redesigns later. If you are unsure whether your project needs an arboricultural survey, send the site details and you will receive clear advice with no obligation.

Tree survey cost depends on the number of trees, the size of the site and access. A survey of a single garden for a house extension costs considerably less than a multi-hectare development site. Every quotation is transparent and prepared from your actual site details, so you know the full cost before any work begins. Our guide to tree survey costs explains what sets the price.

For a fast, accurate price, include the site address, a short description of the proposal and any drawings you have when you request a quote.

A complete BS 5837 tree survey report includes a tree schedule recording species, dimensions and condition for every surveyed tree, a tree constraints plan showing root protection areas and canopy spreads, the Arboricultural Impact Assessment itself, and a Tree Protection Plan drawing supplied in PDF and DWG formats so your architect can drop it straight into the submission.

Reports are written to be understood by planning officers, designers and clients alike. Related services include tree risk assessments for existing trees and tree planting to satisfy landscaping conditions.

Everything above concerns development. A BS 5837 survey exists to answer a planning question, and if there is no application in prospect it is not the survey you need.

Where the concern is the tree itself, its health, its condition and whether anything needs doing, that is a tree condition survey. Where the concern is the risk a tree poses to people or property, and your Duty of Care as the owner, that is a tree risk assessment. And where a lender has raised trees during a purchase, that is a mortgage tree report.

If you are not sure which applies, describe the situation when you get in touch and you will be told which survey fits, including when the answer is that you do not need one.