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Why Tree Surveys Matter — and What a BS5837 Actually Involves

BS5837 tree survey explained for UK planning applications — what LPAs require, what the site visit covers, Tree Constraints Plans, typical timelines and how to get a fixed quote.

Arboricultural consultant carrying out a BS5837 tree survey on a UK construction site
Guide Tree Surveys 3 min read

If trees stand on or near your site, your planning application will not move forward without arboricultural evidence — usually starting with a BS5837 tree survey. That is not a discretionary requirement. It is a condition of validation, and no amount of chasing your case officer will change it.

Getting the right tree survey in place early protects your programme. Getting it wrong — or leaving it too late — sends you back to square one after a refusal. Most BS5837 surveys are turned around within two to five working days.

Here is what you need to know.

Why your LPA requires a tree survey

Planning authorities have a legal duty to consider the impact of development on trees. Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, any trees that could be affected by proposed works must be assessed before consent is granted.

Your council’s tree officer reviews the arboricultural evidence and makes a direct recommendation to your case officer. Without a compliant BS5837 survey, that recommendation will be to refuse or not validate. It is that simple.

The earlier you commission the survey, the more useful it is. A tree survey does not just satisfy the planning authority — it tells your design team where the constraints are so they can work around them from the start, not after the layout is fixed.

Mature trees retained alongside a new UK housing development — a typical site where a BS5837 tree survey and arboricultural evidence are required before planning consent.

What a BS5837 tree survey actually involves

BS5837 is the British Standard that governs how trees are assessed in relation to construction and development. Produced by the British Standards Institution and recognised by the Arboricultural Association as the authoritative framework for arboricultural planning work, a survey carried out to this standard gives your planning authority confidence that the work has been done properly and to a recognised methodology.

In practice, a BS5837 tree survey involves four things.

A site survey

A qualified arboricultural consultant visits the site and records every tree that falls within the survey area — typically the site boundary plus a buffer zone to capture trees whose root systems or canopies could influence the development. Each tree is measured, its condition assessed, and its category assigned.

Tree categorisation

Every tree is placed into one of three categories: A (high quality, long life expectancy), B (moderate quality or life expectancy) or C (low quality). Trees in poor condition that are not worth retaining are recorded as U — unsuitable for retention. This categorisation directly shapes what your design can do and where.

A Tree Constraints Plan

This is the scaled drawing your architect needs. It maps every tree, its root protection area — the ground zone that must not be disturbed during construction — and its canopy spread. The constraints plan defines the developable area and is a required submission document for most planning applications. We produce this as part of our BS5837 tree survey and Tree Constraints Plan service.

A written report

The survey report records the methodology, findings and recommendations in a format your planning authority can assess directly.

The whole process — site visit to completed report — typically takes two to five working days depending on site size.

What comes next

A BS5837 survey is the starting point for most development sites. Depending on your authority’s requirements, you may also need an Arboricultural Impact Assessment — a written analysis of how your specific proposals affect retained trees — and later, an Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan to govern how trees are managed during construction.

If you are not sure which documents apply to your site, tell us what you are planning. We will confirm the scope and price it the same day.

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Common questions about BS5837 tree surveys

When is a BS5837 tree survey required?
A BS5837 tree survey is required when trees are on your site or within influencing distance of proposed works, and your local planning authority needs arboricultural evidence before validating or determining your application. Most developments with retained trees need a survey and Tree Constraints Plan at submission stage.
How long does a BS5837 tree survey take?
From site visit to completed report, most BS5837 tree surveys take two to five working days depending on site size and the number of trees. Larger or more complex sites may take longer — we confirm timelines when you request a quote.
How much does a tree survey cost?
The cost depends on tree numbers, site area and the type of report required. Request a quote for a fixed price based on your site.
What is a Tree Constraints Plan?
A Tree Constraints Plan (TCP) is the scaled drawing produced as part of a BS5837 survey. It maps each tree, its root protection area and canopy spread so your architect can set the developable area. It is a standard submission document for planning applications where trees are retained.