If you're planning an extension, a new building or even a new driveway near trees, your council may ask for information about those trees before it decides your application. A tree survey provides it.
What is BS 5837:2012?
BS 5837:2012, Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction, is the British Standard that sets out how trees should be considered during development. Planning authorities commonly refer to it when they ask for tree information.
What a survey records
- The species of each tree and its position in relation to buildings, boundaries and routes.
- Stem diameter, height and canopy spread.
- Age class, physical condition and any visible defects or decay.
- A quality category: broadly, whether a tree is a high, moderate or low priority for retention, or unsuitable for retention.
Root protection areas
A tree's roots spread much further than most people imagine, and most are in the top metre of soil. The root protection area (RPA) is the minimum area around a tree that should be left undisturbed to keep it healthy. For a single-stemmed tree, it's based on a circle with a radius of twelve times the stem diameter, measured at 1.5 metres above ground.
Knowing the RPA early lets your architect or builder design around important trees rather than discovering a problem halfway through a project.
What else might the council ask for?
Depending on the scheme, councils sometimes ask for further documents such as a tree protection plan or an arboricultural method statement explaining how trees will be protected during the work. Requirements vary, so we'll confirm what your project needs at the outset.
