BS5837 Tree Surveys

BS5837 (Trees in Relation to Construction) provides constructive guidance and solutions for all planning and development personnel in relation to the safe and responsible development of buildings around trees. Whether you are adding a domestic extension onto your home, or creating a housing or commercial development from scratch, BS5837 is likely to apply to you. We have a proven record of dealing with planning authorities, including in the management of trees with a TPO (tree preservation order).

We work to balance the needs of the developer with the ecological and environmental health of the area, aiming to provide positive outcomes that will foster sympathetic and progressive development plans. Your planning authority will consider all trees on or near the development site in relation to BS5837 to inform its decision on your application.

 We can help you navigate this process, offering:

•  Arboricultural support and consultation throughout the planning and design process

• A pre-development site appraisal, giving you professional advice to start you in the right direction

• Fully compliant tree surveys and reports to support your planning application.

• Advice about trees scheduled for retention where appropriate, including protection and integration into the planned environment

 We will undertake a tree survey which will take into account the quality and value of each tree, breaking this down into necessary considerations including age, species, position, dimensions, defects, condition, TPO status and recommendations. You will also be provided with a Tree Constraints Plan, mapping tree positions, crown spread, root protection areas (RPA) and retention category.

 To compliment this service, we can also offer:

•  Arboricultural Impact Assessments – An assessment and written evaluation of the impact of the proposed development on nearby trees.

• Tree Protection Plans – An outline of key considerations and practical actions to protect significant trees and habitat from above ground development and underground services.

• Arboricultural Method Statements – Sometimes requested by the local authority, this is a detailed inventory of actions to protect trees from the construction process, including the impact of heavy machinery on ground compaction and the storage and use of hazardous materials.

• Supervision of Works – Development projects are far less likely to be subject to enforcement action and fines if they have an arboricultural professional on hand to advise and support throughout the development process. This supervision service can include routine inspections and monitoring, risk mitigation planning and on-call services in the event of accidental damage, ensuring that your project runs smoothly and responsibly from start to finish.

Mortgage and Insurance Tree Reports and Consultation

Mortgage and insurance companies will often require you to seek professional reports and surveys from arboricultural specialists when purchasing a property or in the event of a claim. We are able to provide practical, helpful advice, working with you to achieve your goals and to manage the needs of these companies.

 This service can include:

• Arboricultural support and advice throughout the consultation process

• A site visit and assessment, visual examination of the nearby trees or vegetation and any areas of concern, including aerial inspections when required

• A soil assessment (when required) to establish ground conditions.

• A fully compliant written report including site plan, an overview of ground conditions and soil assessment results (if applicable), evaluation of key areas of concern, and conclusions based on our inspection outlining recommendations for long term avoidance of damage.

• Remedial tree work or ongoing maintenance services.

 Where an insurance claim is being pursued, we can work with loss adjusters and home owners to provide concise information that can inform the conclusions of an insurance claim.

TPO Applications and Appeals

TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) are an important part of protecting the landscape, history and ecology of an area. However, they can be complicated to work with and we recognise that not everybody wants their trees to have TPO status. We are experienced with working with clients and local authorities to:

• Apply for TPO status for trees considered appropriate candidates

• Negotiate TPO status for clients who have dangerous or dying trees

• Mediate between a local authority and clients when negotiating issues arising from a TPO

• Secure local authority permission for works to go ahead on trees with a TPO

• Undertake remedial and maintenance works on trees with a TPO

Remedial and maintenance tree works

Alongside our many Consultancy and Surveyance services, we do of course offer tree work!

We are happy to undertake large or small jobs for residential clients, business owners or public services. Whether you want a simple yearly prune, hedge trimming and maintenance, emergency work after damage, general maintenance or total removal, we have years of experience and many happy customers to recommend us. Get in touch for an honest, approachable service with free quotes and advice available.

Subsidence Tree Surveys and Reports

Trees and vegetation provide great benefits to the built environment – they can act as a privacy screen, improve the aesthetics of a garden or landscape, and compliment the local environment.  However, they can cause damage when they are near to a structure by undermining foundations and structural stability, and leaching much needed moisture from the soil. We offer assessment and guidance in the event that a tree or vegetation is suspected of being the cause of subsidence, or where there is a concern that subsidence or damage may occur. We will work alongside your appointed structural engineers and other professionals to determine whether trees and vegetation may have been the cause of damage and to offer practical solutions and advice.

 This service can include:

• Arboricultural support and advice throughout the consultation process

• A site visit and soil assessment, visual examination of the damage and nearby trees or vegetation

• Root Identification and DNA testing where necessary, to establish the source of direct damage caused by roots.

• A fully compliant written report including site plan, an overview of the damage and results of the soil assessment, conclusions based on our inspection outlining whether trees and vegetation are likely to have caused or influenced subsidence, and recommendations for eliminating the issue and mitigating any further damage.

• Remedial tree work or ongoing maintenance services.

 Where an insurance claim is being pursued, we can work with loss adjusters and home owners to provide concise information that can inform the conclusions of an insurance claim.

Agriculture and Agro-Forestry

There is a growing appreciation for the benefits of woodland development as part of agricultural practices. Coppicing and woodland development can be financially and environmentally rewarding. Being based in rural Herefordshire, we understand agriculture and the need for farms to work safely and efficiently with the resources available to them. It is perfectly possible for trees to exist profitably alongside crops or livestock, to the benefit of both.

We provide support and advice for anyone developing or maintaining woodland for agricultural or environmental purposes, or anybody who is considering integrating trees as a resource into their existing farming practice.

 We can offer:

•  Arboricultural support and advice throughout the consultation process

• A full site assessment including examination of any existing trees, consideration of location and ground conditions, consultation with you about your present and planned farming practices

• Fully compliant written reports and management plans based on our findings and in consultation with you to support your planned or ongoing use of woodland resources.

• Sourcing and planting services for new planting endeavours.

• Ongoing maintenance services.

Tree Survey Inspections, Decay Assessment and Mapping, Resistograph testing

Whether you just want an experienced person to give your trees a ‘once over', or you have concerns about the health and stability of an existing tree or trees, we can offer a range of services to support you. We have a proven track record of managing trees in poor condition and providing sensible and proportionate advice. We can provide:

•  Arboricultural support and advice throughout the consultation process

• A site visit and assessment, visual examination of the nearby trees or vegetation and any areas of concern, including aerial inspections when required.

• Non invasive testing to establish the presence and extent of any decay.

• Micro drilling or resistograph testing (where necessary) to further determine the extent of any decay.

• A soil assessment (when necessary) to establish ground conditions.

• A fully compliant written report including site plan, an overview of ground conditions and soil assessment results (if applicable), evaluation of key areas of concern and levels of risk, and conclusions based on our inspection outlining recommendations for long term avoidance of damage.

• Remedial tree work or ongoing maintenance services.

Root Barrier Installation

In many cases, the chances of sustaining root damage can be reduced or prevented by fitting root barriers, preferably at the time of planting. While not a substitute for planting trees in suitable locations, root barriers can effectively be used to contain roots and make it difficult for trees to expand their roots into unsuitable ground in certain circumstances.  If you have a tree or trees that are causing you concern, or you are planning on planting new trees and would like to protect the area from damage, contact us for friendly and honest advice. We can offer:

•  Arboricultural support and advice throughout the consultation process.

• A site visit and soil assessment, visual examination of any existing damage and nearby trees or vegetation.

• Root Identification and DNA testing where necessary, to help establish the source of direct damage caused by roots.

• Root barrier installation services where suitable to reduce further damage.

• Remedial tree work or ongoing maintenance services.

Utility Surveyance and Consultancy

 If you are interested in our contracting services, please contact us for further information.