The BS 5837 arboricultural survey is a type of tree survey that considers how a proposed
development and its associated trees will co-exist and interact in the present, during
construction and in the future. A BS5837 tree Survey is a document that many Local
Planning Authorities (LPA`s) require as part of a planning application. Factors such as Root
Protection Areas, (RPA.) crown clearance, changes in levels, access, installation of services,
material storage, etc have been considered during the development layout and that these items
will not prove detrimental to important trees. They also need to ensure that future issues,
such as the long term effects of changing a surfacing material, levels or the future need to
prune or remove trees because they cast excessive shade or encroach upon property, are
addressed and avoided. Items considered are as follows: -
Tree root protection (distances, area, RPA).
Tree crown protection (access facilitation pruning).
Tree protection measures during construction (BS5837 Figure 2 & Figure 3).
Changes in levels in the RPA.
Changes in surfaces in the RPA.
Installation and layout of services in the RPA.
Demolition of existing buildings, removal of previous surfaces.
Exposure due to tree removal, wind throws.
Sunlight and shading.
Construction site access.
Construction site layout (compounds, offices, parking).
Construction site materials storage (wash off).
Future tree planting (species selection).
In most cases the following documents & drawings will have to be produced:-
Topographical Survey @1:200
Tree Survey Document and Plan @1:200
Tree Constraints Plan @1:200
Tree Protection Plan @1:200
Replacement tree planting Plan @ 1:200
Peter Jackson Developments based in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, provide arboriculture, architecture services, planning services, and landscape design.
