Publishing and copyright information

The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued.

The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard:
Committee reference B/213
Draft for comment 11/30213641 DC

Publication history

First published January 1980
Second edition, December 1991
Third edition, September 2005
Fourth (present) edition, April 2012

Foreword

Publishing information

This British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 30 April 2012. It was prepared by Technical Committee B/213, Trees and tree work. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

Supersession

This British Standard supersedes BS 5837:2005, which is withdrawn.

Information about this document

This is a full revision of the standard, and introduces the following principal changes:

takes account of current practice regarding planning for the management, protection and planting of trees in the vicinity of structures, and for the protection of structures near trees;
updates the guidance in relation to building regulations;
recognizes the contribution that trees make to climate change adaptation.

This British Standard provides recommendations and guidance for arboriculturists, architects, builders, engineers, and landscape architects. It is also expected to be of interest to land managers, contractors, planners, statutory undertakers, surveyors, and all others interested in harmony between trees and development in its broadest sense.

Annex A contains general information which is expected to be of use to developers, builders and engineers.

Use of this document

This British Standard takes the form of guidance and recommendations. It should not be quoted as if it were a specification and particular care should be taken to ensure that claims of compliance are not misleading.

Any user claiming compliance with this British Standard is expected to be able to justify any course of action that deviates from its recommendations.

It has been assumed in the preparation of this British Standard that the execution of its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people, for whose use it has been produced.

BSI permits the reproduction of BS 5837:2012, Figure 2 and Figure 3, to ensure compliance with the standard (e.g. when seeking planning consent).

Presentational conventions

The provisions in this standard are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its recommendations are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.

Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

Trees are given special consideration under the statutory planning system and in civil case law, and their protection can change with time. It is advisable to seek expert advice on the legal implications for any plans or projects that fall within the scope of this British Standard.

Introduction

Trees can offer many benefits, including:

providing visual amenity, softening or complementing the effect of the built environment, and adding maturity to new developments;
displaying seasonal change and providing opportunities for wildlife in built-up areas;
making places more comfortable in tangible ways by contributing screening and shade, reducing wind speed and turbulence, intercepting snow and rainfall, and reducing glare.

Trees are also important elements of green infrastructure, contributing to urban cooling through evapo-transpiration and providing micro-climatic effects that can reduce energy demands in buildings. They therefore represent a key resource that can significantly contribute to climate change adaptation.

Existing trees are an important factor on construction sites, whether on or near the working areas, and trees are a material consideration in the UK planning system (see Annex B). This British Standard is intended to assist decision-making with regard to existing and proposed trees in the context of design, demolition and construction. Root systems, stems and canopies, with allowance for future movement and growth, need to be taken into account in all projects, including those that do not require planning permission. The space required for any proposed new trees to become established is an important consideration.

During their lifetime, trees will be vulnerable to disturbance, injury, environmental changes, pests and diseases. Construction work often exerts pressures on existing trees, as do changes in their immediate environment following the construction. A tree that has taken many decades to reach maturity can be damaged irreparably in a few minutes by actions that might be unwitting, negligent or wilful (see Annex A). The early provision of physical protection from damage is therefore critical.

Where tree retention or planting is proposed in conjunction with nearby construction, the objective should be to achieve a harmonious relationship between trees and structures that can be sustained in the long term. The good practice recommended in this British Standard is intended to assist in achieving this objective.

The standard follows a logical sequence of events that has tree care at the heart of the process. This is summarized as a flow diagram in Figure 1. The full sequence of events might not be applicable in all instances; for example, a planning application for a conservatory might not require the level of detail that needs to accompany a planning application for the development of a site with one or more dwellings.

1 Scope

This British Standard gives recommendations and guidance on the relationship between trees and design, demolition and construction processes.

It sets out the principles and procedures to be applied to achieve a harmonious and sustainable relationship between trees and structures.

The standard is applicable whether or not planning permission is required.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Feasibility: surveys and preliminary constraints

4.1 General

4.2 Topographical survey

4.3 Soil assessment

4.4 Tree survey

4.5 Tree categorization method

4.6 Root protection area (RPA)

5 Proposals: conception and design

5.1 General

5.2 Constraints posed by existing trees

5.3 Proximity of structures to trees

5.4 Arboricultural impact assessment

5.5 Tree protection plan

5.6 New planting design and associated landscape operations

6 Technical design

6.1 Arboricultural method statement

6.2 Barriers and ground protection

6.3 Site monitoring

7 Demolition and construction in proximity to existing trees

7.1 General

7.2 Avoiding physical damage to the roots during demolition or construction

7.3 Tree protection during demolition

7.4 Permanent hard surfacing within the RPA

7.5 Special engineering for foundations within the RPA

7.6 Subterranean construction within the RPA

7.7 Underground and above-ground utility apparatus

8 Site works, landscape operations and management

8.1 General

8.2 Drainage

8.3 Topsoil quality and amelioration

8.4 Soil compaction and remediation measures

8.5 Use of mulch

8.6 Hard surfaces

8.7 Use of herbicides

8.8 Tree management

Bibliography

BS 5837:2012

Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. Recommendations

Current, Under Review

Published:

30 Apr 2012