WE ARE EXPERIENCED ARBORICULTURE CONSULTANTS
Clear, concise Arboricultural Impact Assessments.
Our approach to Arboricultural Impact Assessments (AIA) isn't just about ticking boxes to meet BS5837 and local planning validation requirements. Whilst that's important, our approach is more about guiding you on the value of your trees to make informed decisions on their retention or removal, helping shape your project and its integration with our unique and valuable landscape.
Why Choose Arb Innovators for Your BS5837 Survey?
Expertise and Experience: With over a decade in arboriculture, we bring unmatched knowledge and pragmatic advice to every AIA report we write.
Innovative Technology: We utilise drones, photogrammetry, and AI on every project (for no extra cost) to deliver precise and efficient BS5837 reports, FAST!
Tailored Solutions: Every project is unique, and so is our approach. Our BS5837 reports are designed to reduce the risk of costly delays or planning application refusals.
Preventing problems from the outset.
During your BS5837 Tree Survey we survey and assess the trees that stand on or in close proximity to your property or Site, record their key measurements and information, and assign them a BS5837 retention category (A, B, C or U). We then begin the process of carefully preparing the Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA).
This starts with identifying potential points of conflict between the trees that should be retained based on their individual merit (typically Category A and B), the scheme's design, and any future conflicts that may develop. This includes the construction activities required to allow for the development.
We'll collaborate with you, your architect, or the developer to incorporate trees into the design. We will analyse all proposed construction operations, including excavations, earthworks, the use of heavy construction vehicles, or the positioning of buildings too close to a tree's crown and, crucially, roots. Before we complete our assessment of the impacts, we may propose changes to the design of the scheme to ensure the uninterrupted preservation of trees.
INNOVATIVE TREE SURVEYS FOR SEAMLESS APPROVALS
Navigate your planning application with us.
As seasoned arboriculturists with over a decade of diverse experience, we understand the critical role trees play in your project's success, seamlessly aligning your ambitions with the complex intricacies of BS5837:2012. Our expertise and innovative approach to tree surveys elevates your project and ensures nature and development coexist harmoniously.
NURTURING NATURE'S LEGACY FOR A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW
Why is it important to retain trees?
Protecting and retaining trees on your development isn't merely a choice; it's a profound responsibility. Your investment in tree protection and retention goes beyond aesthetics; it's a strategic choice for a thriving development which minimises impacts to trees.
For the environments in which we live and work, trees help protect the environment by purifying the air we breathe and boosting our fight against climate change. Developments which seek to retain trees actively contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Trees also support a diverse array of native UK wildlife species, from birds to insects, and have an active role to play in biodiversity (as emphasised by their inclusion in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)).
Your investment in tree protection and retention goes beyond aesthetics with trees offering more than just shade; they reduce noise pollution, create serene green spaces, and enhance our overall health and happiness. Not to mention the added benefit that trees enhance property values and draw in prospective buyers and investors.
We don't just acknowledge the importance of trees; we actively champion their preservation. With our expertise in arboriculture and innovative solutions, we help you navigate the intricate process of harmonising nature and urban development.
Balancing tree retention and removal
Our Arboricultural Impact Assessment will summarise the findings of the BS5837 tree survey and, most significantly, will outline an objective assessment of how to balance the development requirements with tree retention and removal.
We achieve this by determining which trees are more suitable of retention and integration into the proposed development. The four categories mentioned in Table 1 of BS5837:2012, defined as four letters, A, B, C, and U, have an impact on this assessment.
Category A is the highest, reserved for trees of high quality. Trees that are particularly good examples of their species, especially if rare or unusual; trees, groups or woodlands of particular visual amenity importance or of significant conservation, historical, commemorative or other value (e.g. ancient, veteran trees or wood‐pasture).
Trees that might be included in category A, but are downgraded because of impaired condition (e.g. presence of significant though remediable defects). Trees with collective landscape value and with material conservation or other cultural value.
Unremarkable trees of very limited merit or such impaired condition that they do not qualify in higher categories. Category C is often assigned to trees of small proportions which may be more readily replaced with little residual impacts. These trees, groups and woodlands often offer little to no material conservation or other cultural value.
Trees assigned as category U are those in such a condition that they cannot realistically be retained as living
trees in the context of the current land use for longer than 10 years. These trees will have serious, irremediable, structural defect, are dead or are showing signs of significant, immediate, and irreversible overall decline.
Essentially, we demonstrate your ability to retain and protect higher quality trees (A and B), while providing mitigation measures for impacts, or clear justification for allowing the removal of lower-quality trees (C and U), alongside compensatory measures.
EXPERIENCED TREE CONSULTANTS HELPING YOU NAVIGATE BS5837
How innovation assists your AIA.
We're not just arboricultural consultants; we're digital pioneers, committed to providing you with robust, cutting-edge Arboricultural Impact Assessments that steer your project toward success.
We blend cutting-edge, innovative technology such as drones, photogrammetry, and artificial intelligence, with expert precision to offer you some of the most robust, yet clear and concise Arboricultural Impact Assessments (AIA).
Our commitment to technology extends to bespoke digital data capture and GIS (Geographic Information System) integration. We utilise custom data capture forms, optimising the collection of tree data in the field. By adopting this technology-driven approach, we streamline the data gathering process. This innovative method not only speeds up the assessment (saving you money) but also ensures the data is easily accessible for future reference.
Our commitment to innovation means we utilise cutting-edge drone technology for Arboricultural Impact Assessments. Drones offer a bird's-eye view of your project, capturing high-resolution aerial imagery. In the absence of a Topographical Survey, this aerial perspective allows us to create detailed base maps, identifying trees and assessing their health, proximity to your development or on-site construction activities, and potential conflicts.
Drones also enable us to efficiently cover large areas, and can be vital tool for early, feasibility studies where you just need us to identify mature trees with distinct characteristics (e.g. an ancient, veteran of Category A tree).
Photogrammetry in action
As the old saying goes 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. So, if a single image can convey a thousand words, how many words can 100-200 images convey?
PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND 3D MODELS
In our fearless pursuit of innovation, we regularly use Photogrammetry which enables us to capture immersive representations of tree risk features and defects, or existing site context (existing incursions in the root protection area (RPA)). This technology allows us to better demonstrate the condition of trees, their quality in accordance with BS5837, or justify the need for tree removal to facilitate your development, to your local planning authority.
What is a Root Protection Area (RPA)?
It is understandable that many people are unaware of what an RPA is, but it is especially important for all Homeowners, Developers and Landowners. The term "Root Protection Area" (RPA) holds significant weight in BS5837. Understanding and respecting RPAs is the cornerstone to ensuring successful and environmentally conscious development projects.
An RPA is essentially a designated zone established to safeguard the roots and, by extension, the overall health and stability of the tree. Ultimately, a root protection area is the minimum area around the bottom of a tree that would support and provide enough volume for the trees rooting system to grow successfully. This area is recognised for its critical role in maintaining a tree's unrestricted access to water, nutrients, and oxygen, all vital for its growth and survival.
Our innovative use of technology, from drone surveys to AI-driven analysis, allows us to accurately identify and map RPAs, ensuring that your development plans are informed, compliant, and environmentally responsible.
For trees with a single stem, the root protection area is calculated by multiplying the tree’s diameter (in meters) at 1.5m above ground level by 12. This is then followed by a circle being drawn around the centre of the tree with a maximum of 15m radius.
JOIN A COMMUNITY OF INNOVATORS
Let's start a conversation.
Callum Throw
Managing Director and Principal Arboricultural Consultant
Callum has over 15 years of experience in the arboriculture industry, with a focus in Urban Arboriculture Consultancy and trees in relation to development (BS5837:2012).
Please reach out to us if you’d like to work with us. We have a broad range of skills in arboriculture, and we are looking for those who want a fresh perspective.
If you are interested in working with an innovative and versatile arboriculture consultancy on your next project, collaborating on a project for one of your existing clients, or just want to geek out over all things trees and digital – I would love to hear from you.
- Callum Throw, Arb Innovators