Appendix: BS 5837: 2012 – Guidance Notes 

This Standard prescribes the principles to be applied to achieve a satisfactory juxtaposition of trees and structures. It sets out to assist those concerned with trees in relation to design, demolition and construction to form balanced judgements. 

It acknowledges the positive contribution trees may offer to a site, as well as the negative aspects of retaining inappropriate trees. It addresses the negative impacts that construction activity may have upon trees and offers mitigation strategies to minimise these impacts. 

The Standard suggests a three stage approach to ensure best practice is followed when developing close to trees: 

Stage 1: Survey Details and Notes 

A ground level visual survey was undertaken. No climbing inspections or specialist decay detection were undertaken. Only trees with a stem diameter over 75mm, which lie within the site boundary or relatively close to it, were included. 

Where applicable, trees with significant defects have been highlighted and appropriate remedial works have been recommended. However, this report should not be seen as a substitute for a full Safety Survey or Management Plan which are specifically designed to minimise risk and liability associated with responsibility for trees. 

Wherever practicable dimensions were obtained using diameter tapes, logger’s tapes, distometers and clinometers. Where obstacles prevent accurate measurement, dimensions are estimated. Trees of privately owned third parties are surveyed from the best available vantage point and observations relating to the condition of these trees should be treated accordingly. All height measurements should be regarded as approximate. 

Stage 2: Arboricultural Impact Assessment

After the initial survey and the production of the Tree Constraints Plan, arborists and designers are encouraged to work together to establish a design proposal with minimal impact on the high quality trees. An assessment should be made of all possible impacts including the impact that the trees may have upon the proposal. 

The arborist may recommend mitigation strategies to minimise these impacts and help achieve a more harmonious juxtaposition between buildings and trees and will offer advice in relation to the best chances of success at planning.

Stage 3: Arboricultural Method Statement 

This type of report specifies the measures necessary to protect trees against damage from construction activity. The Method Statement should be written in a manner that it may be conditioned and enforced by the local authority upon granting of planning permission.  Many trees get damaged on development sites due to the AMS being overly complicated or unreadable from the perspective of practical implementation.

The site manager must be familiar with all aspects of the Method Statement and should ensure that all persons working on the site are aware of those aspects which are relevant to their work. This includes service installation engineers and operators of plant machinery.

Appendix: Survey Methodology 

Ground level visual surveys are carried out using the Visual Tree Assessment technique described by Mattheck and Broeler (1994) and endorsed by the Arboricultural Association (LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection course, 2007). 

Structural condition is assessed by inspecting the stem and scaffold branches from all angles looking for weak branch junctions or symptoms of decay. Particular attention is paid to the stem- base. Cavities are explored using a metal probe in order to assess the extent of any decay. If this is not possible further inspection is recommended in the form of a climbing inspection or using specialist decay detection equipment. 

The physiological condition is assessed by inspecting the stem, branches and foliage for symptoms of disease. The overall vigour of the tree is also taken into account. 

Where significant defects are observed, recommendations are made according to a scale of priority in order to reduce the likelihood of structural failure. The position of the tree and its potential targets are taken into account. 

Measurements are obtained using a diameter tape, clinometer, distometer and loggers tape. 

Where this is not practical measurements are estimated. 

Some trees are surveyed as groups, though this is usually avoided close to areas likely to be developed.

Appendix: Further Information 

Building Near Trees – General 

National Joint Utilities Group publication # 10 (1995), Guidelines for the Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Services in Proximity to Trees. Downloadable at www.njug.demon.co.uk/pdf/NJUG%20Publication10.pdf 

NHBC Standards Chapter 4.2., Trees and Buildings. 

Horticulture LINK project 212. (University of Cambridge, 2004), Controlling Water Use of Trees to Alleviate Subsidence Risk. Tree Planting and aftercare see www.trees.org.uk/leaflets.php# for downloadable leaflets on selecting a garden tree, planting, aftercare and veteran tree management. 

British Standards BS 5837: 2012. Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction – Recommendations. Bs 3998: 2010. 

Recommendations for Tree Work. BS 3936: 1992. Nursery Stock. Part 1: Specification for Trees and Shrubs. BS 3936: 1992. Nursery Stock. Part 10: 

Specification for Ground Cover Plants. BS 4043: 1989. Transplanting Root-balled Trees. BS 8004: 1986. Foundations. BS 8103: 1995. 

Structural design of Low-Rise Buildings. BS 8206: 1992. Lighting for Buildings.

BS 8545:2014. Trees: From nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations 

BS 3882: 2007. Topsoil. BS 4428: 1989. General Landscaping Operations (excluding hard surfaces). Permission to do Works to Protected Trees / Tree Law 

Forestry Commission (Edinburgh, 2003), Tree Felling – Getting Permission. Country Services Division - Forestry Commission. Downloadable at www.forestry.gov.uk/website/pdf.nsf/pdf/wgsfell.pdf/$FILE/wgsfell.pdf 

Transport and the Regions (Department of the Environment, 2000), Tree Preservation Orders, A Guide to the Law and Good Practice. Downloadable at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/tposguide 

C. Mynors, The Law of Trees, Forests and Hedgerows (Sweet and Maxwell, London, 2002) 

Communities and Local Government website with numerous downloadable documents, from: 

http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/treeshighhedges/ Lighting Levels 

P.J. Littlefair, B.R.E. 209: Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight A guide to good practice. B.R.E. Bookshop, London. 

British Standards Institution. Code of practice for daylighting. British Standard BS 8206: Part 2 (1992). 

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. Applications manual: Window Design (London, 1987). 

NBA Tectonics. A study of passive solar housing estate layout. ETSU Report S-1126. Harwell, Energy Technology Support Unit (1988). 

I.P. Duncan; D. Hawkes, Passive solar design in non-domestic buildings. ETSU Report S-1110. Harwell, Energy Technology. P. J. Littlefair, Measuring Daylight, BRE Information Paper 23/93 f3.50. (Advises on measuring daylight under the real sky or an artificial sky, allowing for the changing nature of sky light). 

High Hedges Communities and Local Government website with numerous downloadable documents, from:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/treeshighhedges/ Tree Specific 

Websites 

www.trees.org.uk Arboricultural Association www.rfs.co.uk Royal Forestry Society of England, Wales and N. Ireland 

www.treehelp.Info The Tree Advice Trust 

www.woodland-trust.org.uk The Woodland Trust www.treecouncil.org.uk The Tree Council 

www.go-roavr.co.uk - portal for booking tree surveys UK wide.