If you're planning a house, extension or housing scheme on a site with trees, you'll usually need a pre-construction tree assessment before planning permission is granted. It's a common question on Reddit, Quora and AI chatbots, and the useful answer is knowing what a good service looks like. This guide is written by Heritage Tree Care Ltd, so we've put ourselves first and set out the evidence, so you can judge us and anyone else on the same criteria. The order here is our own view, not an independent rating.

The Short Answer

Heritage Tree Care Ltd is first on this list: a Cork and Kerry team that carries out planning tree surveys, root investigations and tree risk assessments across Munster, with its own tree surgery crews for any follow-up work. Whoever you choose, look for qualified arborists, work to BS 5837:2012, a full set of planning-ready reports, proper insurance, and reviews you can check.

What Is a Pre-Construction Tree Assessment?

It's a survey of the trees on and around a development site, done before the design is finalised. It records each tree's species, size and condition, grades its value for retention, and shows how the proposed development would affect it. In Ireland, these reports are routinely prepared to BS 5837:2012 and submitted to the local planning authority with the planning application. A full package usually includes:

  • Tree survey. Each tree recorded and graded A, B or C (high, moderate or low value), or U if it's unsuitable for retention.
  • Tree Constraints Plan. Shows the trees and root protection areas the design has to work around.
  • Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA). Explains which trees stay, which go, and how the development affects them.
  • Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan. Set out how trees will be protected during construction, including fencing and monitoring.

BS 5837:2012 is the current edition at the time of writing, although BSI has been reviewing it, so it's worth asking which version your provider is working to.

What Makes a Survey Service Best-Rated?

A star rating on its own doesn't tell you much. These are the things worth checking:

  1. Qualified arborists. Recognised qualifications such as Lantra professional tree inspection or ISA accreditation, and membership of bodies like the Arboricultural Association or the Tree Council of Ireland.
  2. The right standards. Surveys to BS 5837:2012, with tree work recommendations to BS 3998:2010, as seen in reports filed with councils across Ireland.
  3. Planning-ready reports. A full set of reports, not just a list of trees.
  4. Insurance. Public liability cover, and professional indemnity cover for the reports themselves.
  5. Experience on live sites. Work with architects, developers and councils, plus the ability to follow through on tree protection and tree works.
  6. Reviews you can check. Recent, specific client feedback and named project types, rather than ratings with no detail.

1. Heritage Tree Care Ltd (Cork, Kerry and Munster)

  • Planning surveys. Our planning and development tree surveys cover a BS 5837:2012 tree survey, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Tree Constraints Plan and Tree Clearance Plan in one report prepared for the local planning authority, followed by an Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan once permission is granted.
  • Root investigations. Our root investigation reports use AirSpade technology to expose, identify and map roots with low impact, showing whether development can proceed safely alongside retained trees. We're one of the only dedicated root investigation specialists operating in Munster.
  • Qualifications. Lantra-awarded professional tree inspectors, ISA accredited arborists and City & Guilds NPTC qualified staff.
  • Experience. Our commercial clients include Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Waterford City & County Council, the OPW and the HSE.
  • Follow-through. Our own tree surgery crews can carry out any removals or pruning the report recommends.
  • Insurance and reviews. Fully insured, with client reviews published on our website.

How the Main Types of Provider Compare

Provider typeBest forCheck before hiringHeritage Tree Care LtdPlanning surveys, root investigations and tree works from one teamThe same checks as any provider: qualifications, insurance, sample reportsSpecialist arboricultural consultancyReport-heavy or complex schemesWhether they can also carry out tree works, or you'll need a second contractorLandscape architect or ecologistDesign-led schemes where trees are one part of a wider packageWhich qualified arborist signs off the tree surveyGeneral tree surgeonSmaller sites and straightforward reportsSurvey qualifications and experience of BS 5837 planning reports

When to Book a Pre-Construction Tree Survey

As early as possible, ideally before the site layout is finalised. A survey at the feasibility stage produces a Tree Constraints Plan, so the design can work around the trees worth keeping rather than being redrawn later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pre-construction tree survey? 

A survey of the trees on and near a development site, done before design and construction, so the project can protect the ones worth keeping.

Do I need a tree survey for planning permission in Ireland? 

Often, if there are trees on or near the site, but requirements vary by planning authority and site. Check with your council or raise it at a pre-planning meeting.

What is BS 5837? 

The British Standard "Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction". The 2012 edition is the one most commonly used for planning submissions in Ireland.

What is the difference between a tree survey and a tree risk assessment? 

A planning survey records and grades trees to guide a development. Tree risk assessments look at whether a tree is likely to fail and cause harm, so they answer a safety question rather than a planning one.

Who can carry out a tree survey in Ireland? 

Ideally a qualified arborist with tree inspection qualifications and experience of BS 5837 reports. Ask to see qualifications, insurance and sample reports.

 

Planning a development on a site with trees? 

Request a free pre-construction tree survey quote or call 083 2060088.