BS5837 Tree Survey

At Hallwood Associates, we can provide you with the right arboricultural consultancy for
your specific requirements.

Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 you have a duty of care to ensure your trees are safe. Ignorance is not an excuse in law! Statute law does not require the tree owner to maintain completely safe trees, and it is certainly not practical or possible to inspect each tree on a daily basis. The duty only requires the tree owner and those responsible for them “to take reasonable care”.

Are you trying to extend your existing land with the hopes of constructing more buildings? Or you’re planning on having your land completely cleared around London?

If you have, you must have surely come across the requirement of a BS5837 tree survey.

Now, what exactly is a BS5837 tree survey anyway, and why is it significant? A minute or two of googling would do you even worse, as the internet is littered with codes and unfamiliar references.

The development process of the current planning system is complex, to say the least, with trees being only one of the barriers to receiving certain approval for planning.
We here at Hallwood Associates have a solid understanding of how to advance through such concerns with the knowledge of what councils need, alongside the expertise of offering services to maximise the likelihood of a successful application.

If you were on the lookout for the ideal experts to help your planning applications get approved, look no further.

What is a BS5837 survey?

Simply put, when it comes to the absolute British Standard for Trees in relation to their planning, demolition, and development, a BS5837 survey is a detailed report to allow the destruction or retention of any high-quality trees where relevant.

The current version of these tree surveys was released back in 2012, where it refers to all the trees impacted, especially during the development and construction phase.

To ensure better design and layout, this assessment also offers a plan including all the necessary data regarding crown spread/height, Root Security Areas (RPA’s), and shading illustrations.
Specifically, in cases where trees are treated as a material consideration, your local planning authority will most probably not authorise your proposed development plans without the submission of a BS5837 survey.

Contact Hallwood Associates Today to Arrange a Tree Survey for Planning

Tree reports for developers

Planning application tree surveys - why the BS58337 tree survey is required:

When it comes to planning an application, tree surveys are an absolute necessity if trees are within an impacting distance of the development project.

If you’re aiming at building near a wooden area, Local Authorities insist on qualified surveys conducted according to the British Standard BS5837 (2012).

Tree constraint planning

This method of planning is perfect to help your site-plan with maximising the available space by taking tree restraints into account. These constraints could include space for future root development, shading, routing for underground and overhead services.

A tree constraints plan typically contains the dimensions and positions of each and every tree on the site at the time of the study done initially.

Furthermore, as a result of all the tree constraints data gathered during this project, you’ll even be informed of future management and tree protection plans which are certain to come in handy in the long run.

WHY CHOOSE HALLWOOD ASSOCIATES?

Hallwood Associates has years of experience and expertise across the tree management sector; including surveying, legal expert work, design and other general consultancy for the private and public sector.

Expert Advice

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Cost Effective

Providing our wide variety of clients with high-quality arboricultural consultancy services, we are multi-disciplinary experts at Hallwood Associates. Trained and qualified to offer services tailored to your budget and overall requirements.

Having worked closely with multiple local authorities, commercial land management companies, and even various homeowners, we have earned a respectable reputation and expertise by meeting all their woodland and arboricultural needs over the years.

In addition, we have been acknowledged for our credibility and professional standards since we are registered consultants of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and are fully recognised members of the Arboricultural Association.

BS5837 tree survey FAQs

Depending on your budgetary requirements and the number of trees involved, the price of a survey could vary immensely. If you’re thinking about an assessment for a larger site, it would be categorised according to its risk of harm with their usage.

Another way the cost might differ is from the exact type of survey you were looking to get done. Our Level Two plan is the most common type of service, but if you were looking to get things done a lot quicker, our Drive-by Surveys would be ideal for you.

For those who are in need of a much more thorough assessment, we provide an equally advanced service with our Level Three plan.

The general rule of thumb is for you to have the tree inspected immediately whenever there’s something that causes you to concern. But on the contrary, a tree should generally be examined every three years or due to the recommendations of a professional. Similarly, more regular checks are advisable in adverse weather situations, such as drought or heavy rain, and especially after a severe storm.
You would require an assessment to be carried out if you are considering an expansion to an existing property or planning to construct additional buildings. Furthermore, this would be necessary whenever you are switching access or transferring service lines as well.