Most people only think about a tree survey once something has already gone wrong. A branch comes down in a storm, a planning officer asks for one before they will approve your building work, or an insurer wants proof that the trees on your site have been checked. By then, you are usually in a rush and paying more than you needed to.
A tree survey is not complicated once someone explains it properly. This guide sets out what a survey actually involves, when you legally need one, what it costs, and how to pick a tree surveyor who will do the job properly the first time.
What is a tree survey?
A tree survey is a report written by a trained tree surveyor after they have looked at every tree on a site. It records what each tree is, how big it is, how healthy it is, and whether it needs any work doing to make it safe.
For building or development projects, surveys are usually carried out to a British Standard called BS5837. This standard sets out how a surveyor should measure and record each tree, and how to work out its Root Protection Area, which is the area of ground around a tree that needs to stay undisturbed so the roots are not damaged. Planning authorities across Essex expect to see a survey done this way before they will approve work near trees.
Not every survey is for planning purposes, though. A lot of the surveys we carry out are simply about safety: checking that the trees on a commercial site are not a risk to staff, customers or passers-by.
When you actually need a tree survey
There are four main reasons a business or landowner in Essex ends up ordering a tree survey.
Planning and development. If you are applying for planning permission and there are trees on or near the site, most local planning authorities will ask for a tree survey as part of the application. It shows which trees can stay, which need to come out, and how the building work will avoid damaging the roots of the ones that stay.
Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas. Some trees are legally protected. Cutting, damaging or even pruning a protected tree without permission can lead to a large fine. A survey tells you which trees on your site are protected before you touch anything. The government’s own guidance on Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas explains how these orders work and what six weeks’ notice means if your trees sit inside a conservation area.
Health and safety, and your duty of care. If you own or manage a commercial site, you have a legal duty to take reasonable care of anyone who might be hurt by a falling branch or a tree that comes down. A survey is how you show you have checked, rather than just hoped for the best.
Insurance. Some insurers now ask for evidence that trees near buildings or car parks have been inspected, especially older or larger trees close to a structure.
What a tree surveyor actually checks
A proper survey is more than someone glancing up at a tree from the car park. Here is what should be recorded for each one.
| What is checked | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Species | Some species grow faster, live shorter lives, or are more likely to drop branches without warning |
| Trunk diameter | Used to work out the tree’s age, its category, and its Root Protection Area |
| Height and spread | Shows how close the canopy and roots reach to buildings, paths and car parks |
| Condition of the trunk, crown and roots | Picks up decay, cracks, dead wood, fungus and other warning signs |
| Life stage | Young, mature, or in decline. This changes how much work, if any, is needed |
| Category grading | Ranks each tree from high quality (keep and protect) down to those that should come out |
| Root Protection Area | The area of ground that must not be dug, compacted or built on |
| Any existing protection | Whether the tree already has a Tree Preservation Order or sits in a conservation area |
Types of tree survey
Not every job needs the same level of detail. The table below shows the main types you are likely to be offered.
| Survey type | When you need it | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Tree safety survey | Routine checks on commercial sites, car parks and grounds | A condition report flagging any trees that need work, with no planning paperwork attached |
| BS5837 tree survey | Before submitting a planning application, or before any building work near trees | A full schedule of trees, category grading and a plan showing Root Protection Areas |
| Arboricultural Impact Assessment | Once a building layout is fixed, to show how the design affects nearby trees | A report used to support the planning application alongside the survey |
| Tree Preservation Order survey | Before pruning, felling or working on a tree that might be protected | Confirmation of what is and is not protected, and what permission you need |
If you are not sure which one applies, our arboriculture team can tell you over the phone once they know whether the job involves planning permission, a protected tree, or just routine safety checks.
What happens on the day
A survey visit is fairly quick once you know what to expect.
- The surveyor walks the site and locates every tree that falls within the scope of the survey, usually anything within influencing distance of the works or the building.
- Each tree is measured, checked for signs of decay or disease, and given a category grading.
- The surveyor notes any existing Tree Preservation Orders or conservation area status.
- Everything is plotted onto a site plan, along with each tree’s Root Protection Area.
- You receive a written report and a tree schedule that a planning officer, insurer or your own team can act on.
For a small commercial site with a handful of trees, this can be done in a morning. Larger sites with dozens of trees, or awkward access, take longer.
What the report gives you
A good tree survey report is not just a list of trees. It should give you:
- A numbered schedule listing every surveyed tree, its species, size and condition
- A category grading for each tree, so you know at a glance which ones matter most
- Clear recommendations, such as pruning, monitoring, or removal
- A plan showing Root Protection Areas, which you can hand straight to an architect or contractor
- A record you can show a planning authority, insurer, or your own health and safety file if anything is ever questioned
How much does a tree survey cost in Essex?
Cost depends on a handful of things, so a fair quote should reflect your site rather than a flat fee.
| What changes the price | Why |
|---|---|
| Number of trees | More trees means more measuring, recording and report writing |
| Site size and access | A large or awkward site takes longer to walk and record properly |
| Purpose of the survey | A full BS5837 survey with a plan takes more work than a routine safety check |
| Urgency | A same-week survey ahead of a planning deadline may cost more than one booked with notice |
| Follow-up work | Some jobs need an Arboricultural Impact Assessment or Method Statement on top of the survey itself |
As a rough guide, a routine safety survey on a small commercial site often starts from a few hundred pounds, while a full BS5837 survey with a plan and report for a development site usually costs more, simply because of the extra recording and drawing work involved. The only way to get a figure you can rely on is to have someone walk the site and quote against what is actually there, rather than guess from a satellite image.
How often you need one
For most commercial sites, a tree survey every two to three years is a sensible rhythm, unless something changes sooner. Storm damage, a tree that starts to look unwell, or new building work nearby are all good reasons to bring a survey forward rather than wait for the usual cycle.
If a tree has already been flagged as a concern, it is worth pairing the survey with our tree surgery service so any recommended work, such as crown reduction or removal, can be booked in straight away rather than sitting on a report for months.
Choosing a tree surveyor
Anyone can call themselves a tree surveyor, so it is worth checking a few things before you book one.
- Qualifications. Look for a recognised arboriculture qualification, not just years of experience cutting trees.
- Insurance. Ask to see public liability cover, particularly if the survey involves climbing or working near buildings.
- Professional body membership. Membership of a body such as the Arboricultural Association is a reasonable sign that someone is judged by people who know the work.
- A report you can actually use. Ask to see a sample report before you book. It should have a tree schedule, category grading and a plan, not just a paragraph of opinion.
- Local knowledge. A surveyor who already works across Essex will know which local planning authorities are strict about Root Protection Areas and which trees in the area commonly carry Tree Preservation Orders.
Where we work
We carry out tree surveys and commercial tree services across Essex and the wider East Anglian region. If you are already planning site clearance or groundworks alongside tree work, it is worth reading our guide on commercial stump removal, since stump removal is often the next job once a tree survey has flagged a tree for felling. The full list of towns we cover is on our areas we cover page.
Get in touch, and we will arrange a tree survey that matches what you actually need it for, whether that is a planning application, a safety check, or peace of mind.
