Using expert technology, the latest standards and the insight of highly trained, experienced and insured experts, we provide a wide variety of clients with effective tree surveys. Supporting a handful of potential purposes – including the conservation, preservation and protection of our local environment – our tree assessments can greatly benefit mortgage approvals, health and safety, or BS5837 planning requirements as a part of a planning application with the local planning authority.
Our Services: Tree Surveys by In-House Tree Surveyors
Unlike most companies that undertake tree surveys – who typically utilise sub-contractors (often called ‘associates’) – at TreeSurvey.co.uk, we have an in-house team of more than ten trusted tree surveyors and tree consultants, helping developers and other professionals with planning approval, satisfying safety reasons and managing professional tree inspections for other reasons over many years. Not only that, but they are based across the UK to ensure that all sections are covered and clients can arrange a tree survey regardless of where they are situated.
Commonly referred to as a ‘tree surveyor‘, ‘arboricultural surveyor‘, ‘tree consultant‘, arboricultural consultant‘ or ‘arboriculturist‘, members of our team are located in various regions to offer a service to clients in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, the East of England and London. Additionally, we entertain the concept of carrying out tree assessments in Scotland and Wales.
In an effort to demonstrate the value we offer to clients, we have outlined the services we provide and the purposes they have for different stakeholders:
BS5837 Tree Surveys for Planning Applications – from £349
All planning authorities in the UK are duty-bound to assess your proposed development’s potential impact on trees and other vegetation, both on and off-site. This requires a collection of documents that are compiled following the completion of a BS5837 tree survey.
More specifically, this includes:
- A tree survey schedule – a data set containing raw information collected during the survey such as tree species as well as the height and diameter of the tree, and notes and recommendations taken from the assessment.
- A tree constraints plan – a detailed plan of the site that outlines the location of each tree plotted accurately. With the BS5837 retention category, root protection areas and canopy spreads included, this accurate information is presented graphically, making it easy to understand and interpret, even by laypersons. Being a professional consultancy practice, we produce these plans using AutoCAD and can export them in any format you require.
- The summary report – an explanatory document, naming the surveyor and his/her qualifications, and providing definitions for technical jargon and the scientific name given to certain attributes within the tree survey and report.
Tree Surveys for Tree Preservation Order Applications
Our experts can provide checks over Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) on your property and free, informal advice on how best to approach a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) application for works that will impact your trees.
An assessment of trees under Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) would often start with an overview of the tree (or trees), and a formal tree report that focuses on delivering a straightforward conclusion to either secure you the works or give you a robust reason why we think the council is unlikely to consent to your proposals.
Tree Risk Assessments and Tree Surveys for Peace of Mind – from £349
Do you have trees on your property? Do you worry about them moving in bad weather or failing in extreme weather, or have you noticed a decline in their structural and physiological condition? If so, our tree condition surveys might be just the ticket. From just £299, one of our trained arboricultural consultants will visit your site and undertake a no-negative recording survey.
This means that we don’t charge you money for writing a comprehensive tree report that includes data about trees that are perfectly healthy or low risk. Instead, you get a summary report that includes detailed info about trees that have been positively recorded as an unacceptable risk, giving you the information you need to act quickly and robustly on any potential hazards presented by trees on your property. We do this for individual trees, local authority trees and third-party-owned trees all the time, so call us to discuss your situation.
Tree Surveys for Mortgage Approval – from £299
Most major mortgage lenders – in particular British based banks such as Barclays and HSBC – will require a statement from a professional tree surveyor to the effect that ‘there is no arboricultural reason‘ why a mortgage cannot be released on this property.
Of course, this follows a detailed tree survey and cursory visual inspection of your buildings. Normally, the present trees’ physiological and structural condition will be assessed for safety risks and any management recommendations highlighted in the recommendations section of our tree survey report.
Tree Survey Process
In any visit to a site, we pride ourselves on conducting a very professional service, utilising an extensive range of skills to make extremely important informed decisions and offer a tree survey capable of satisfying local planning authorities. Alongside a dedication to providing an exceptional duty of care an an excellent service to both commercial and residential clients, our great team also ensures that all safety aspects are covered to reduce risks on the site.
Not only does this prevent our tree consultants from harm during the assessment, but it also covers health and safety purposes in regards to our clients and the future hazards that could be caused by a lack of initiative on the site. For example, if our specialist team failed to closely examine single trees and reduce risk on the site, trees may be a danger to anyone on the site in the future.
How do you carry out each tree survey?
Although we offer a handful of different types of tree surveys, the most common is the British Standard BS5837 tree survey. Due to this, we will explain the process of carrying out this type of assessment in further detail.
Prior to visiting your site, the tree consultant who has extensive experience working with trees and undertaking this form of assessment will ask you a few questions about the project, the site, specific requirements, whether the project is on behalf of residential or commercial clients, and how the new development will impact certain sections of the plot of land. They will then ask for a site plan and any other information you have that could streamline the tree survey process, decreasing the time it takes to gain planning consent.
Once the necessary information has been collected, one of our arboricultural consultants will visit the site to assess all trees present. Over the course of the tree inspection, tree planning consultants will grade each tree within the site boundary, in close proximity to the site and others within influencing distance using a predesigned grading system based on a wide range of criteria, including tree roots, age class, fungal decay, physical measurements, structural integrity, condition, value and likely life expectancy.
If trees are at a quality that is an acceptable level, or if they are valuable and unlikely to disrupt the development, they will be retained. If, however, the trees are obstructing the development, aren’t worth retaining, show signs of tree failure, or if there are signs that trees have caused damage to nearby areas or hard surfaces, they will be destroyed. Alternatively, trees that are valuable but likely to act as an obstacle in the development will be relocated elsewhere. As part of the BS5837 tree survey, the consultant will use specialist equipment such as tree motion sensors
Following the completion of the tree survey, the tree consultant will create a detailed report. In the tree report, an overview of the site and trees present will be outlined within tree constraints plan drawings, along with recommendations for advisable steps to take in order to allow the development to progress. A full range of protected tree care considerations and all tree problems will be detailed, giving project managers, property owners, tree owners and anyone else involved in the project further insight that could simplify the development process, and give the planning department of local authorities all they need to grant a planning application.
Tree Experts
A mixed approach that allows us to bring in both qualified tree specialists to hit the ground running and give opportunities to inexperienced tree surveyors who need tutoring and the ability to learn, our team of expert arboriculturists is capable in a multitude of areas and assembled from professionals at different stages in their careers.
That said, we ensure that all of our great team hold their work to the same high standard, make equally as informed decisions, and guarantee that there is an extremely important sense of consistency across each and every tree survey we undertake.
Experienced and Qualified Tree Surveyors
Spanning across the UK, we currently have 12 tree consultants in our ranks, each with well over a decade of experience in creating high-quality tree reports and the qualifications and experience necessary to conduct impactful tree surveys that will strengthen an application for planning permission. As a business, we operate in ways that make our sub-contractors as efficient and flexible as possible, leading to the best possible service for our clients.
A crucial part of this approach is how our sub-contractors work – situated throughout different sections of the UK to cover every client, from Northumberland to Cornwall. It also enables us the outreaching scope to work with clients in areas that are isolated and difficult to reach, as well as in parts of Scotland and Wales.
With our team, you will find that we aim to protect trees and maintain ongoing support for protected trees, but with a suitable course of action and sound decisions that will assist any new building, restoration or demolition work and applications for planning conditions. Once we conduct tree surveys and identify retained trees and any need to have a tree removed, you will receive a report a few short days later that will contain further information provided to help with planning permission.
Rules and Regulations
Due to the crucial nature of tree surveys and how vital it is that they are conducted correctly and within the rules of conservation laws, we keep our finger on the pulse of tree surveying through maintaining an understanding of relevant legislation, frequently checking the latest standards from governing bodies, attending arboricultural conferences and networking events, and holding a line of communication with regulators.
Many of our arboricultural surveyors also maintain an eye on changes to regulations and invest in the knowledge of fellow professionals by joining arboricultural clubs and societies, either close to them geographically or by becoming a member of the Arboricultural Association. The largest body in the UK for tree professionals, the Arboricultural Association is a society that many tree consultants join in order to gain expert insight and keep involved with the latest developments in the world of arboriculture.
Tree Protection Laws
A primary reason for the requirement to book a tree survey is that trees are protected by certain pieces of UK legislation, particularly the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
If you are aware of how other pieces of legislation prompt the need for additional care and consideration – such as how the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 would enforce the need for bat activity surveys and other protected species surveys – you will understand that the legislation behind protected trees triggers the requirement for a tree survey or tree protection plan.
Working with Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
As mentioned previously, we are capable of making effective recommendations when it comes to dealing with developments on land that house trees under an existing Tree Preservation Order (TPO). A TPO – as well as trees that are situated in a conservation area – can make it more difficult to progress a development project, as they are within the protection of the local authority and therefore may require special consent before any changes that could disturb the trees are carried out.
In order to develop land that could harm trees in conservation areas or under active TPOs, direct approval from the local planning authority is needed, potentially delaying the planning process. Not only that, but any attempt to continue with the development without consent leading to tree removal or destruction will be classed as an illegal offence, likely resulting in a significant fine. Considering the potential delays and penalties for approaching these two obstacles incorrectly – or, even worse, ignoring them completely – it would be advisable to reach out to a professional tree consultant for helpful advice on taking the most suitable next step.
Nationwide Coverage
Unlike many other arboricultural consultancies and tree surveyor companies, we do not exclude coverage of certain sections of the country due to a lack of staff and support – or even, in some cases, simply a lack of interest or attentiveness – in those areas.
It is common for clients in Scotland, Wales and South West England to struggle with finding a tree surveyor who will visit their site. However, one of the elements of strategic significance to the way we approach the services we offer enables us to target these areas, and anywhere else in the mainland United Kingdom.
Providing Tree Surveys Anywhere in the UK
Although our arboricultural consultancy carries out tree survey services and develops tree survey reports for clients across the UK, you may be interested to learn of our busiest areas. Recent work we’ve carried out based on location and the type of service include:
- Tree consultancy for most planning applications in Luton and Bedfordshire
- Tree report for development applications in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
- Tree survey in West Sussex and East Sussex
- Planning and development tree survey in Southampton and Hampshire
- Tree survey in North London, South London and Greater London
- Tree consultancy in Guildford, Elmbridge, Surrey Heath and Surrey
- Tree survey for mortgage applications in Tunbridge Wells and Kent
- Tree report for planning applicants in Harlow and Essex
- Tree consultant advice in St Albans and Hertfordshire
- Tree surveyors’ report in Buckinghamshire
- Tree condition survey specialists in Berkshire
- Tree survey for proposed development in Oxford and Oxfordshire
- Tree survey for unsafe trees in Northampton and Northamptonshire, Leicester and Leicestershire
- Tree consultant reports for Tree Preservation Order applications in Warwick and Warwickshire
- Tree survey for insurance and lending in Birmingham and West Midlands
- Tree consultancy survey for development sites in Derby and Derbyshire
- Tree survey in Shropshire and Staffordshire for local authority planning applications
- Tree surveyor report in Cheshire West, Chester and Cheshire East
- Tree survey for prospective planning apps in Liverpool and Merseyside, Trafford, Salford, Bury and Greater Manchester
- Tree survey for insurance in Preston and Lancashire
- Tree survey and report by a qualified arboriculturist in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire
- Tree consultancy reports for developers in Leeds and Bradford
- Tree survey for risk assessment in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire
If you would like more information on the different types of services we provide – such as the potential for an arboricultural method statement, arboricultural impact assessment, a tree survey required for acting as a tree owner and recording tree stock, distinguishing each tree protected by the local council, site monitoring or a health & safety tree survey – and the areas we can navigate for undertaking our tree services, don’t hesitate to get in touch and one of our friendly team will tell you everything you need to know.
Why not get in touch for a quote?
For an expert witness on your development project, answers to common questions surrounding tree inspections and method statements on the most appropriate course of action to take with trees obstructing access, TreeSurvey.co.uk would be a worthwhile option to consider. Whether it’s a small or particularly huge tree, multiple trees, or individual trees situated close to old or new buildings, our excellent service will ensure that a quality tree survey will lead to an accepted planning application.
Due to our extensive knowledge and experience in carrying out a tree inspection, we can also offer an acceptable level of insight when it comes to related matters such as tree protection plans, the scientific name for potentially confusing terms, advice on effective tree care, and the services we use such as conducting a tree survey and developing the corresponding tree report.
At an early stage in the process, developers, homeowners, landscape designers and anyone else who would benefit from having trees inspected and receiving detailed information about trees in relation to a development project would be advised to get in touch with us, tell us the problem they are having or provide details of their project, and we can assess the next step to take.
Speak to Our Team Today
We are ready and waiting to provide an excellent service and conduct a visual tree assessment for you and issue your completed tree report, regardless of where you are located throughout the UK. Through getting in touch and filling out a booking form, we can take down the specifications of your site and project as the only variable before offering a reasonable tree survey cost for sending a professional arboriculturist to attend to the designated area and conduct the necessary tree inspection.
For a free quote with no obligation in relation to design, demolition and construction work, visit our ‘Contact‘ page for more details of our communication options or call us on the telephone number above. Completing a quote form or providing information via another method will enable our knowledgeable team to create a detailed quote whenever a client may need a tree survey, making useful information generally required by the local council available to acquire planning consent.