BS 5837:1991

Committees responsible
Foreword
Guide
1. Scope
2. Definitions
3. Strategy
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Implementation
4. Trees and the law
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Legal protection for trees: general
4.3 Legal protection of trees on development sites
4.4 Enforcement of protection during development
4.5 Common law claims and litigation concerning trees
5. Pre-planning site assessment
5.1 Land survey
5.2 Tree survey
6. Planning
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Selection of trees for retention
6.3 Proximity of trees to structures
6.4 Access for services
6.5 Highway considerations
6.6 Change of conditions around trees
6.7 Access for building works
6.8 Future management
6.9 Implementation
7. Damage to trees by construction work
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Extent and form of the root system
7.3 Damage to roots by asphyxiation
7.4 Damage to roots by soil stripping or excavations
7.5 Prevention of damage to roots
7.6 Damage to trunk or branches
8. Protection of existing trees against damage on site
8.1 General
8.2 Protective fencing around trees
8.3 Precautions in respect to temporary work
8.4 Additional precautions outside fenced areas
9. Tree removal and surgery
9.1 Planning
9.2 Operations
10. Avoidance of damage to structures by trees
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Direct action of trees on structures
10.3 Indirect action of trees on structures
10.4 Precautions on clay soils
11. Hard surfaces around existing trees
11.1 Design considerations
11.2 Prevention of damage to roots
11.3 Provision for water and oxygen
11.4 Allowance for future growth
11.5 Edge supports
11.6 Types of hard surfaces
12. Soft surfaces around existing trees
12.1 General considerations
12.2 Prevention of damage
12.3 Herbicides
12.4 Surface treatment
13. Post construction remedial work to trees
13.1 General considerations
13.2 Direct damage
13.3 Indirect damage
14. New planting: detailed design considerations
14.1 Introduction
14.2 General considerations
14.3 Planting adjacent to buildings
14.4 Planting adjacent to highways
14.5 Planting in the vicinity of services
14.6 Planting adjacent to boundaries
15. Planting: ground preparation and planting works
15.1 Soil conditions
15.2 Selection of planting stock
15.3 Plant handling
15.4 Surfaces around newly planted trees
16. Post planting maintenance
16.1 Existing trees
16.2 New plantings
16.3 Management of trees
Appendices
A. A short guide to trees for new planting in relation
     to construction
B. Organizations from whom additional advice can be
     obtained
Tables
1. Protection of trees: minimum distances for
     protective fencing around trees
2. Minimum distance (metres) between structure and
     centre of trunk of young trees or position of new
     planting to avoid direct damage to a structure
     (including foundations) from future growth of the
     base of the trunk and roots
3. Recommended minimum foundation depths on clay soil
     to allow for future tree growth
4. Broadleaf trees
5. Conifers
Figures
1. Flow diagram, summarizing planning for trees on
     development sites
2. Alternative location for protective fencing
3. Trenching along radii to minimize damage
4. Protective fencing on scaffolding framework
5. Protective fencing for special conditions
6. Scaffolding within a protected area
7. Edge supports for hard surfaces

Principles to be applied to achieve a satisfactory juxtaposition of trees, including shrubs, hedges and structures. It follows, in sequence, the stages of planning and implementing the provisions which are essential to allow developments to be integrated with trees.