BS 5837:2012

What is BS 5837 about?  

BS 5837 is a British standard on recommendations for trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. 

BS 5837 on trees in infrastructure design, demolition, and construction provides recommendations relating to tree care, with a view to achieving a harmonious and sustainable relationship between new construction/existing structures and their surrounding trees. 

Who is BS 5837 for? 

BS 5837 on trees in relation to design, demolition and construction is relevant to:  

• Arboriculturists 
• Architects 
• Builders 
• Landscape architects 
• Land managers 
• Contractors 
• Statutory undertakers 

Why should you use BS 5837?  

Trees are important elements of green infrastructure, contributing to urban cooling through evapotranspiration and providing micro-climatic effects that can reduce energy demands in buildings. Alongside contributing to climate change adaptation, trees also: 

• Provide visual amenity, softening or complementing the effect of the built environment, and add maturity to new developments 
• Display seasonal change and provide opportunities for wildlife in built-up areas 
• Make places more comfortable in tangible ways by contributing screening and shade, reducing wind speed and turbulence, intercepting snow and rainfall, and reducing glare. 

BS 5837 on trees in infrastructure design, demolition, and construction follows a logical sequence of events that has tree care at the heart of the process when a new construction project is planned or at existing structures. Its recommendations can be applied whether or not planning permission is required. 

What’s changed since the last update?

BS 5837:2012 supersedes BS 5837:2005, which is withdrawn. 

BS 5837:2012 includes some principal changes with respect to BS 5837:2005. These are: 

• 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