Local information requirements: Tree survey

Types of application that require this information

• All applications where development could affect existing trees. This includes trees on adjacent land or highways.

Details of what should be included

The tree survey shall include all the information required as per the specification of BS 5837: 2012, or by any subsequent updates to this standard which includes:

• Tree constraints plan identifying:
  • The location of all existing trees (ref number to be recorded on the tree survey plan) over 75mm in diameter measured at 1.5m above ground level which are:
    • Within the site
    • Overhanging the site
    • Located on land/highway adjacent to the development site that might influence the site or might be important as part of the local landscape character
• Existing buildings/structures
• Hard surfaces
• Water courses
• Ground levels throughout the site
• Location of all existing hedges, a list of the woody species that they contain, and details of any features within the hedge. For example, banks or supporting walls

Trees which are less than 75mm diameter at 1.5m above ground need not be accurately surveyed but should be indicated.

• A schedule listing all the trees or groups of tree identified on the tree constraints plan, which should include the following information:
  • Species (common and scientific name, where possible)
  • Height
  • Diameter of the stem measured at 1.5m above ground level
  • Root protection area (RPA)
  • Canopy spread of each tree for all four compass points
  • Age class (eg young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature, etc)
  • Assessment of the condition including trunk, crown, roots
  • Life expectancy (eg very long, long, medium, short, very short)
  • A full schedule of tree works including those to be removed and those remaining that require remedial works to ensure acceptable levels of risk and management in the context of the proposed development. The method of disposal of all arisings should also be included along with the precautions to be taken to avoid damage to root protection areas and trees to be retained
  • Amenity value- both existing amenity value and proposed amenity value
  • British standard status - colour coded system identifying suitability for retention

• Tree protection plan identifying:
  • All the information as detailed on the tree constraints plan
  • The proposed development (this should be outlined on the plan)
  • Details of all trees to be retained/removed
  • Details of temporary protective fencing or temporary ground protection measures
  • Details of construction site compound including vehicle parking and storage of materials applicable
• Details of wildlife features (for example, birds, nests, bat roosts - see Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

All plans within the tree survey must be to scale and include a scale bar. Where possible they should be on A3 sized paper. If you are unsure whether the development may affect trees you should, as a minimum, submit a site plan to a scale of 1:200 or 1:500 indicating the proposed development and location of tree trunks and the crown spread of all trees within the site and those on adjacent boundaries. Based on this site plan a tree survey may or may not be requested following a desktop review of aerial photographs and other spatial data.