Arborists in the UK

Browse 389 verified arborists across the UK. Get quotes for Tree Protection Plan, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Method Statement and more.

389 verified arborists across the UK on The Planning Review.

What does a arborist do?

An arborist assesses the quality and condition of trees on a development site and advises on how the proposed design can accommodate them. In the UK planning system, most local planning authorities require a BS 5837 tree survey and arboricultural impact assessment before they will validate an application on a site with existing trees. The arborist surveys every tree on and adjacent to the site, categorises each by quality and retention value, and maps the root protection areas that the design team must work around.

Tree survey results directly shape the development layout. Each tree is graded under BS 5837:2012 into categories A (high quality), B (moderate quality), C (low quality), or U (unsuitable for retention), and the root protection areas of higher-value trees must generally be kept free of construction activity. The arborist produces a tree constraints plan at the earliest design stage so that architects can avoid conflicts before the layout is finalised. Where trees must be removed, the arborist justifies the loss and advises on replacement planting.

Once the layout is set, the arborist prepares the arboricultural impact assessment, tree protection plan, and method statement that the LPA needs to see before granting permission or discharging conditions. These documents specify protective fencing, ground protection, and any special construction techniques (such as pile and beam foundations) required within root protection areas. Early instruction is important because retrofitting tree protection into an advanced design is significantly more expensive than designing around trees from the outset.

When do you need a arborist?

  • The development site contains mature trees, groups of trees, or hedgerows that may be affected by the proposals
  • Any trees on or adjacent to the site are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
  • The site is within a conservation area, where all trees with a trunk diameter of 75mm or more at 1.5m height are protected
  • The LPA's validation checklist requires a BS 5837 tree survey and arboricultural impact assessment
  • Proposed construction, access routes, or services will encroach within the root protection area of retained trees
  • You are proposing to remove trees and need to justify their loss and propose replacement planting
  • The development involves changes in ground level, new hard surfacing, or excavation near existing trees
  • A planning condition requires an arboricultural method statement or tree protection plan before construction begins
  • The site contains ancient or veteran trees, which receive the strongest policy protection under the NPPF
  • You need a tree constraints plan to inform the site layout before design work begins

Services you can get local quotes for

  • Arboricultural Site Supervision
  • Arboricultural Survey & Impact Assessment

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tree survey cost?

Costs depend on the number of trees and the complexity of the site. For a small residential site with up to 10 individual trees, a BS 5837 tree survey with tree constraints plan typically costs between £500 and £1,200. For medium-sized sites (10 to 50 trees), fees are generally in the range of £1,000 to £2,500. Larger sites with extensive tree cover can cost £3,000 to £6,000 or more. The arboricultural impact assessment, tree protection plan, and method statement are usually prepared as an additional package costing £500 to £2,000 depending on the complexity of the development and the level of detail required.

How long does the process take?

A BS 5837 tree survey can usually be carried out within 1 to 2 weeks of instruction, weather permitting. Tree surveys can be undertaken at any time of year, although summer surveys allow better assessment of crown condition and vitality when trees are in full leaf. The full package of reports (AIA, TPP, and AMS) is typically completed within 2 to 4 weeks of the survey, provided the development layout drawings are available. Where the TCP is needed to inform design, the arborist should be instructed at the outset of the project — ideally before the architect begins the site layout.

Can I remove a tree with a TPO?

You can apply to the LPA for consent to carry out works to a TPO tree, including felling, but you must demonstrate good reason. Acceptable reasons include the tree being dead, dying, or dangerous, or that its removal is necessary to implement a planning permission. The LPA will assess the application against the amenity value of the tree and the reasons given for the work. If consent is granted, a replacement tree may be required as a condition. Carrying out works to a TPO tree without consent is a criminal offence, with unlimited fines in the Crown Court.

What is a root protection area?

The root protection area (RPA) is a layout design tool defined in BS 5837 as the minimum area around a tree that must be protected from construction activity to ensure the tree's long-term survival. It is calculated as a circle with a radius 12 times the trunk diameter at 1.5m height (capped at 15 metres). Within the RPA, there should be no excavation, changes in ground level, storage of materials, compaction by vehicles or machinery, or contamination of soil. Where construction within the RPA is unavoidable, special engineering solutions (such as pile and beam foundations or no-dig surfacing) must be specified in the arboricultural method statement.

Do I need a tree survey for a householder application?

Many LPAs include a tree survey as a validation requirement for householder applications where trees are present on or adjacent to the site — particularly if the trees are protected by a TPO or the site is in a conservation area. Even where it is not a formal validation requirement, submitting a tree survey demonstrates due diligence and can prevent delays caused by the LPA requesting additional information after submission. If your proposed extension or outbuilding will be built within the crown spread or root protection area of a significant tree, a tree survey is strongly advisable.

Legal and regulatory framework

  • BS 5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction)
  • Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Part VIII)
  • Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012
  • NPPF
  • National Planning Practice Guidance (Tree Preservation Orders)
  • NJUG Guidelines for the Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Apparatus in Proximity to Trees

Professional accreditations

  • Arboricultural Association
  • Institute of Chartered Foresters

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