What is this standard about?
BS 5837:2012 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 this standard for?
- Arboriculturists
- Architects
- Builders
- Engineers
- Landscape architects
- Land managers
- Contractors
- Planners
- Statutory undertakers
- Surveyors.
Why should you use this standard?
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 adding 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 5837:2012 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 has been fully revised by experts to bring it up to date with current thinking and industry best practice. It 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