Please reach me at garyjwaller@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I cover the whole of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and parts of Yorkshire (East Riding, Hull and South Yorkshire). I generally work within a maximum two-hour driving distance of our base in Holton-Le-Clay near Grimsby. If you are unsure whether I cover your area, please get in touch.
That’s really hard to answer, as every assignment is different and there are many variables involved, including travel time. However, I do provide no-obligation quotations and are always clear about what’s included.
To give you an indication, here are some typical starting prices:
Absolutely. Just get in touch and we can discuss.
Payment by bank transfer is requested once your survey/report is complete and prior to release. Payment terms are strictly 30 days.
Invoices for Arboricultural Clerk of Works time are issued weekly. Payment by bank transfer is due within 30 days of receipt of invoice.
Yes. I hold £5 million public liability insurance along with £1 million professional indemnity insurance. Copies are available upon request.
There are many reasons to choose my consultancy services.
Firstly, I’m completely independent. I have no financial incentive to recommend unnecessary tree work, unlike companies that both assess and carry out the work themselves. My advice is impartial, honest, and based solely on what is genuinely required.
Secondly, I’m highly qualified in my field. That’s not to say most tree surgeons are not qualified — I trained and worked as a tree surgeon myself! However, I also have extensive expertise, knowledge, and specialist training in surveying, inspection, and consultancy work, which adds an entirely different dimension to tree assessment and management.
Thirdly, I will probably save you money in the long term. My knowledge and training allow me to take a sensible, balanced, and practical approach to surveying and, particularly, tree risk assessment. In my experience, many tree surgeons — and indeed members of the public — tend to overestimate the level of risk posed by trees. I am trained to assess, quantify, and justify risk using a practical and evidence-based approach, helping clients avoid unnecessary or overly cautious work while still maintaining safety and legal compliance.
Turnaround times depend on workload and project complexity, but urgent requests may be accommodated where possible.
If you are planning an extension, new build development, commercial project or site redevelopment, you may be asked by your local planning authority to provide a BS5837 tree survey and arboricultural report as part of the planning process.
For many clients, the terminology and process can initially seem complicated. This guide explains the different parts of a BS5837 survey and what they mean in practical terms.
BS5837 refers to the British Standard: BS5837:2012 - Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction.The purpose of the survey is to assess trees on or near a development site and identify how they may affect the design, layout and construction of a proposed project.
Local planning authorities often require BS5837 reports where trees could be impacted by:
The survey helps ensure important trees are properly considered during the planning and construction process.
1. The Tree Survey
The first stage is a detailed site inspection and tree survey.
During the survey, each relevant tree is inspected and recorded individually.
This includes information such as:
Each tree is normally given a reference number and plotted onto a site plan.
This information forms the basis of all further arboricultural assessments.
Tree Categories Explained
As part of the survey, trees are categorised according to their quality and overall value.
Category A
High quality trees with significant landscape or amenity value.
These are usually the most important trees on the site and are strongly recommended for retention.
Category B
Trees of moderate quality and value.
These trees still contribute positively to the site and are usually suitable for retention.
Category C
Lower quality trees with limited landscape contribution.
These may be smaller, poor-form or shorter-lived trees.
Category U
Trees unsuitable for long-term retention.
These trees are generally dead, dangerous or in severe decline.
The categorisation process helps planners and designers understand which trees are most important to retain where possible.
Root Protection Areas (RPA)
Each tree is assigned a Root Protection Area, often referred to as the RPA.
The RPA identifies the minimum area around the tree that should remain protected during construction works.
This area helps protect:
The RPA is usually shown as a shaded area on plans and helps guide site layout and foundation design.
2. Tree Constraints Plan (TCP)
The Tree Constraints Plan shows:
This plan helps architects and developers understand how trees may influence the development potential of the site.
It is often one of the first plans used during the design process.
3. Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)
The Arboricultural Impact Assessment considers how the proposed development may affect existing trees.
This assessment looks at:
The purpose of the report is to determine whether the development proposal is acceptable from an arboricultural perspective.
4. Tree Protection Plan (TPP)
Where important trees are to be retained, a Tree Protection Plan may be required.
This plan shows how trees should be protected during construction works.
Typical protection measures include:
These measures help prevent accidental damage during demolition and construction.
5. Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS)
An Arboricultural Method Statement explains how construction works will be carried out safely near retained trees.
This may include:
This document is often required where works take place close to Root Protection Areas.
Initial discussions about your requirements are typically available to help determine the most suitable service.
Under UK law, property owners and land managers have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to inspect and manage trees on their land. If a tree causes injury or damage and the owner failed to identify obvious defects or foreseeable risks, they may be found negligent.
A tree risk assessment helps demonstrate compliance with legal responsibilities under:
A professional assessment provides documented evidence that trees have been inspected and managed appropriately, which can be important in defending legal or insurance claims.
Tree risk assessments should be carried out regularly depending on the tree’s condition, location, and level of public use. High-risk areas such as schools, roads, and public spaces may require inspections every 1–3 years, while lower-risk areas can often be inspected less frequently. Additional inspections are recommended after severe weather or if defects are suspected.
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