Tree Survey & Inspections

Whether you need a BS5837 tree survey for a planning application or a professional tree inspection to assess the health and safety of your trees, Morfe Valley Arboriculture provides thorough, expert reports across the West Midlands and Shropshire.

What Is a BS5837 Tree Survey?

A BS5837 Tree Survey is the industry-standard assessment required by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) when development proposals affect trees. Carried out in accordance with British Standard BS5837:2012, it provides a systematic evaluation of every tree on or adjacent to a site.

The survey categorises trees by their quality, condition, and retention value — giving planners, developers, and landowners a clear picture of which trees are worth protecting and which can reasonably be removed as part of a development scheme.

With over 30 years of experience working alongside Local Authorities, Craig Watkins and the Morfe Valley team produce surveys that are thorough, defensible, and designed to support smooth planning outcomes.

“A properly conducted BS5837 survey doesn’t just satisfy planning requirements — it becomes a strategic tool that shapes better development design from the outset.”

Required for planning applications involving trees
Conducted in accordance with BS5837:2012
Covers trees on and adjacent to the site
Informs tree constraints mapping and layout design
Supports Local Authority review and approval

An example of a survey.

We provide BS5837 tree surveys and tree inspections across Shropshire, West Midlands, and Staffordshire — including Shrewsbury, Shifnal, Albrighton, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Solihull, Lichfield, Stafford, and surrounding areas.

When you call Morfe Valley Arboriculture, you get Craig.
Not a call centre.
Not a junior administrator.

Craig Watkins — the consultant who will actually carry out your survey — picks up the phone, answers your questions, and talks to you about your trees.

With over 30 years of hands-on arboricultural experience, Craig genuinely cares about trees and their condition. That passion shows in every report.

You won't receive a generic template with your site details filled in — you'll receive a thorough, in-depth arboricultural report that helps you understand your trees and make confident decisions, now and in the future.

A Morfe Valley report is written to stand the test of time.

What the Survey Includes

Species, age class, height, crown spread, stem diameter, and overall physiological and structural condition assessed for every tree on site.

Each tree is assigned a BS5837 retention value — from high-quality Category A specimens to Category U trees unsuitable for retention — guiding design decisions.

Accurate calculation and mapping of Root Protection Areas to ensure development layouts avoid critical root zones and comply with planning conditions.

A scaled drawing overlaying tree positions, RPAs, and canopy spreads onto the site plan — an essential design aid from the earliest planning stages.

A full narrative report detailing findings, methodologies, and recommendations, presented in clear language suitable for planning submission and client review.

A comprehensive photographic record of every assessed tree, providing visual evidence to support the survey findings and planning documentation.

Who Needs a Tree Survey?

Tree surveys are required in a wide range of situations.

Tree Inspections & Condition Surveys

Not every tree assessment is connected to a planning application. If you simply want to know whether your trees are safe, healthy, and well-managed, a tree inspection — sometimes called a condition survey or tree health check — is what you need.

A tree inspection involves a professional assessment of each tree's structural integrity, physiological condition, and any visible signs of disease, decay, or instability. Unlike a BS5837 survey, it isn't tied to a development proposal — it's about understanding the current condition of your trees and identifying any action needed to keep people and property safe.

Craig Watkins is a qualified professional tree inspector (PTI) — one of the most widely recognised inspection credentials in the UK arboricultural industry.

When Craig carries out your tree inspection, you receive a clear written report detailing the condition of each tree, any risks identified, and proportionate recommendations for management.

Who needs a tree inspection?

Tree inspections are commonly needed by:
✓ Homeowners concerned about a tree's health or stability
✓ Landlords and property managers with a duty of care
✓ Schools and academies managing trees on school grounds
✓ Estate managers overseeing large tree stocks
✓ Local authorities requiring periodic condition assessments
✓ Insurance companies requesting evidence of tree safety
✓ Anyone who has received a complaint or concern about a tree

A tree inspection from Morfe Valley gives you a clear, defensible record of your trees' condition — written by a qualified Professional Tree Inspector with over 30 years of experience.

Why Choose Morfe Valley?

30+ Years of Authority Experience

Craig Watkins spent years as a Local Authority Tree Officer — he understands precisely what planners need and how to present surveys that support approval.

Fully Accredited & Qualified

Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association, Professional Tree Inspector, and Expert Member of the Consulting Arborists Society.

Prompt, Clear Reporting

We work to your project timelines, delivering thorough surveys with clear language — no unnecessary jargon, just actionable findings.

Speak Directly With Craig

Fill in the form below, and Craig will get back to you personally — usually within one working day.

Rather call? Craig picks up the phone himself.
07870 602501 | 01902 288251