Tree schedule
Species, dimensions, life stage, condition observations and BS5837 categories recorded in a structured schedule.
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Tree surveys for Surrey planning
BS5837 Tree Surveys Surrey Start With The Right Site Evidence
If planning, your architect or a tree officer has asked for a tree survey, send us the wording. Add the site address and your latest drawing and we can tell you what needs surveying, what the next planning document is likely to be and what the work will cost before you instruct.
No technical wording needed. Send what you have and we will make the survey requirement clear.
Survey-first planning support20+ years · 1000+ projectsHomeowners · architects · developers
First question: what was actually requested?
“Tree survey” can mean different things at different stages.
At concept stage, the architect may need a BS5837 Tree Survey and Tree Constraints Plan so the layout can respond to retained trees. At planning submission, the missing document may be an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. After permission, the council may be asking for an Arboricultural Method Statement, Tree Protection Plan or site supervision.
That is why the quote process starts with your actual project information rather than a generic menu. Send the address, the current drawing and the original wording. If you already have a survey or report, attach that too. We will check what can be used and what genuinely needs doing next.
What a planning survey gives you
Useful tree data, not just a list of species.
A good BS5837 survey gives the design team a reliable evidence base and keeps the tree information consistent as the project moves from feasibility to submission and construction.
Root constraints
Stem diameters provide the basis for Root Protection Areas so the design team can understand below-ground constraints.
Crown relationship
Crown spread and future growth help test separation, access, scaffolding and the long-term relationship with new buildings.
A planning route
The survey establishes what information can feed into the TCP, AIA and later construction-stage documents.
Planning services
One survey can lead into the full BS5837 process.
Use the service pages when you already know the document name. If you do not, send the council wording and we will identify the right stage first.
Survey, feasibility and planning
BS5837 Tree Survey
The site survey that gives your architect and planning team reliable tree data before design decisions become expensive to change.
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Planning submission and technical reporting
BS5837 Tree Report
A clear planning document that explains the tree survey, the development context and the arboricultural evidence needed for the application.
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Planning design and submission
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
The assessment that tests the proposed layout against retained trees and explains the impacts, mitigation and arboricultural case for the design.
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Pre-commencement and construction planning
Arboricultural Method Statement
Construction instructions for the parts of the build that need to happen carefully around retained trees.
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Planning submission and pre-start compliance
Tree Protection Plan
A site drawing showing exactly where retained trees are protected and where construction activity is restricted.
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Feasibility and early design
Tree Constraints Plan
The design-stage plan that shows crowns, Root Protection Areas and tree quality before the development layout is committed.
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Construction and condition compliance
Arboricultural Supervision
Site attendance and records for the sensitive construction stages that planning conditions or an AMS say need arboricultural oversight.
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Detailed design and Building Regulations
Building Control Tree Survey
Vegetation information for foundation and structural design where Building Control, an engineer or a warranty provider needs reliable tree data.
Explore this service →Why survey before the design is locked?
Tree constraints are cheaper to solve on a drawing than on a building site.
When survey information arrives early, the architect can see where mature trees, crowns and Root Protection Areas influence the proposal. That can affect the footprint, parking, driveway, drainage, service routes, levels and construction access. A small adjustment at concept stage can be much simpler than justifying a difficult conflict once the planning layout is fixed.
Where the scheme is already developed, that is not a reason to stop. The survey still provides the baseline for an AIA and helps identify which parts of the design need a stronger technical explanation or a construction methodology.
Who this is for
Clear answers for the person actually trying to move the project forward.
Most clients do not need another lesson in arboricultural terminology. They need to know what to send, what the council is asking for and what the next useful deliverable is.
Homeowners
Forward the council email or architect request. We can translate it into a clear survey/report scope and fixed fee.
Architects
Send the live drawing revision and topo. We can coordinate the tree data with the design rather than working from an outdated layout.
Developers
Keep the survey base consistent from feasibility through AIA, condition discharge and construction.
Contractors
When permission is in place, we can help turn the approved tree strategy into practical protection, methods and supervision.
Get an accurate quote quickly
Three things are enough to start.
- 1Site addressSo we know the location and planning authority.
- 2Latest plansPDF is fine. A topo is useful if available.
- 3The wordingCouncil, tree officer, architect, Building Control or planning consultant.
Surrey coverage
Local BS5837 tree survey pages for 241 Surrey areas.
Choose the nearest area to see the relevant Local Planning Authority, what to send with the enquiry and how the survey can feed into constraints, impact assessment and tree protection.
Find your town or village
View Surrey Areas →Guildford, Woking, Weybridge, Reigate, Ashtead, Farnham, Epsom, Camberley, Oxted and every local area in the dataset.
Questions before you enquire
BS5837 tree survey FAQs
If your own council wording is more specific than these general answers, send it with the plans. The project-specific request takes priority.
What is a BS5837 tree survey?
A development-focused survey that records the trees that can influence a site and provides the evidence base for design, planning and later arboricultural documents.
When should I commission the survey?
As early as practical if the design is still flexible. Survey and constraints information can help the architect respond to trees before the main layout is fixed.
Do I need to know which report the council means?
No. Send the original wording with the site address and current plans and the requirement can be scoped before you instruct.
What should I send with the quote request?
The address, latest plan and council or consultant wording. Add a topo, previous tree report and deadline if you have them.
What comes after the survey?
Depending on the project, the next stage can be a Tree Constraints Plan, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Method Statement, Tree Protection Plan or supervision.
Can existing survey information be reused?
Sometimes. Existing documents should be reviewed against the current site and proposal before repeat work is recommended.
Is a Building Control tree survey different?
Yes. Building Control or structural surveys can use related vegetation data, but they answer a different regulatory question from BS5837 planning.
Ready to get the survey sorted?
Send the address, plans and council wording.
We will tell you what tree survey or planning document is needed and provide a clear fixed-fee proposal.