A tree survey for planning records trees on and around a development site that could influence the proposal. We assess their position, dimensions and condition so buildings, access, services and construction activity can be designed with those constraints in view.
Tree Survey for Planning
BS 5837 tree information for layouts, root protection, arboricultural assessment and construction planning.
Tree Survey for Planning enquiry
Accurate tree positions
A survey tied to the site plan gives architects and engineers usable information about trees, canopies and root protection areas.
Temporary construction activity
Access tracks, soil storage and service installation need consideration alongside the position of the finished building.
Trees, roots and development layout
A tree’s influence extends beyond its trunk. Canopy spread affects usable space, while roots can interact with foundations, drainage and changes in ground level. Trees on neighbouring land are included where the development could affect them.
The survey is plotted against an accurate site plan. BS 5837 provides the framework for considering trees in relation to development, including root protection areas, but those areas still need to be interpreted against existing structures and site conditions.
Discuss tree survey for planning
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Tree protection through design and construction
Depending on the proposal, the planning submission may also need an arboricultural impact assessment, tree protection plan or method statement. Temporary access, storage and excavation can damage retained trees even where the finished building sits outside the obvious canopy.
Tree Preservation Orders, conservation-area controls and ecological constraints need checking before pruning or removal. The survey and any supporting arboricultural documents provide evidence for the planning and design process; they do not themselves grant permission to remove a tree.
Tree Survey for Planning: common questions
Should trees outside the site boundary be included?
Yes, where their canopies or roots could be affected by the proposal.
Is the survey permission to remove a tree?
No. Relevant tree, planning and ecological controls still need to be checked.
Does a planning survey replace a tree-safety inspection?
Not automatically. The purposes and required assessments differ, so the scope should be explicit.
Why are root protection areas not just circles drawn around trunks?
BS 5837 provides a calculation framework, but site conditions and existing structures can influence how the rooting area is interpreted for the design.
What tree information may be needed after the initial survey?
Depending on the proposal, an arboricultural impact assessment, tree protection plan or method statement may be needed to show how retained trees will be protected.