BS5837 is the British Standard for Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations. The latest version was published in 2012 and applies to all trees that could be affected during the design, demolition or construction phase of a development.
It is mandatory to comply with BS5387 when considering any development project in the vicinity of trees, whether or not planning permission is required.
Areas covered by the British Standard BS5837
- Initial topographical survey and what it should include
- Requirements of the soil assessment to inform decisions regarding root protection areas, tree protection, new planting design and foundation design
- Tree survey – when it should be carried out, what is should cover, measurements that must be taken and how trees should be categorised for quality and value
- Calculation of the root protection area of the trees surveyed
- Constraints posed by existing trees and factors to be taken into consideration
- Recommendations for the location of structures near trees
- Guidelines for the preparation of an arboricultural impact assessment to evaluate and mitigate both the direct and indirect effects of the design on trees
- Guidelines for the preparation of a tree protection plan to consider the effect of the demolition and construction phases on the trees and measures that must be put in place to protect them
- Recommendations for new planting and associated landscape operations
- Guidelines for the preparation of an arboricultural method statement detailing the methodology that must be used to safeguard the trees during the demolition and construction phases of the development
- Specifications for tree protection barriers and ground protection measures
- How the site should be monitored
- Considerations to avoid physical damage to the roots of existing trees during demolition or construction
- Tree protection measures to be followed during demolition
- Recommendations for the installation of permanent hardstanding within the root protection area of a tree
- Special engineering methods to be used for foundations within the root protection area of a tree
- Factors to be considered when carrying out underground construction within the root protection area of a tree
- Methods for installing underground and above ground services
- Factors to consider when working around both newly planted and existing trees, including drainage, soil quality, soil compaction, the use of mulch, the location of hard surfaces and paved areas and the use of herbicides
- Pre-development and post-development management of newly planted and existing trees.