Tree surveys in Edinburgh
If you're building near trees in Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council will usually want a BS 5837 tree survey with the planning application. If you're worried about a tree's safety, or a lender or insurer has asked about one, you need a condition survey instead. We can introduce you to one vetted arboricultural consultant who covers your site in Edinburgh.
Beatrice Vasey is a horticulturist, not an arboricultural consultancy. We introduce you to one vetted arboricultural consultant and are paid a referral fee by that business.
Protected trees and planning in Edinburgh
- Planning decisions
- Planning applications in Edinburgh are decided by the City of Edinburgh Council. The council's guidance for householders asks for a tree constraints plan with root protection areas, to BS 5837:2012, where trees are on the site or within 12 m of its boundary. Under Policy 6 of National Planning Framework 4, development isn't supported where it would lose ancient woodland or ancient and veteran trees, and compensatory planting is expected where woodland is removed.
- Tree preservation orders
- Check the City of Edinburgh Council's interactive map, which shows conservation areas in green and TPOs in purple.
- Conservation areas
- In a conservation area, give the council 6 weeks' notice before working on a tree with a trunk over 75 mm across, and carry out the work within 2 years.
- Felling licences
- Felling more than 5 m³ of timber in a calendar quarter usually needs permission, but gardens are exempt. Licences are issued by Scottish Forestry.
Tree survey types and costs
For a planning application in Edinburgh, start with the BS 5837 survey and commission it before the layout is fixed, so the design can work around the trees worth keeping.
| Survey | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| BS 5837 tree survey | Before the layout is designed | About £300 to £760 for a small domestic site |
| Arboricultural impact assessment (AIA) | With the planning application, once the layout is drawn | About £500 to £1,000 together with the survey |
| Arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan | With the application, or to discharge a planning condition | About £250 to £500 for a small extension |
| Tree condition or safety survey | Any time | About £150 to £350 for a basic inspection; £350 to £900 for a detailed report on several trees |
| Mortgage or insurance tree report | When a lender or insurer asks for one | From about £300 plus VAT |
Typical prices from published cost guides. Your consultant quotes for your site.
Your arboricultural consultant in Edinburgh
We pass each Edinburgh enquiry to one vetted arboricultural consultant who covers your site. You get an email naming them before your details are shared, and they quote you directly. We are paid a referral fee by that business, as set out in how our partner network works.
We also arrange tree surveys in Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham.
In Edinburgh we can also introduce you to specialists for Japanese knotweed treatment, bat surveys, ecological surveys, tree surgery and landscaping, all listed on our Edinburgh page.
Tree survey questions in Edinburgh
Do I need a tree survey for a planning application in Edinburgh?
Usually, if there are trees on or near the site. The council's guidance for householders asks for a tree constraints plan with root protection areas, to BS 5837:2012, where trees are on the site or within 12 m of its boundary.
How do I find out if a tree has a TPO in Edinburgh?
Check the City of Edinburgh Council's interactive map, which shows conservation areas in green and TPOs in purple.
Can I cut down a tree in my garden in Edinburgh?
Only if it isn't protected. Protected trees need the council's consent for work, unless it is urgently necessary for safety or one of a few other set exceptions applies. The Scottish Government's guidance gives fines of up to £20,000 on summary conviction, and unlimited on indictment. In a conservation area, give the council 6 weeks' notice before working on a tree with a trunk over 75 mm across, and carry out the work within 2 years.
Will I need other surveys for planning in Edinburgh?
Possibly. Trees with cavities, cracks or loose bark can hold roosting bats, so felling or heavy pruning may need a bat survey in Edinburgh, and larger sites often need an ecological survey in Edinburgh as well.
Get a tree survey quote in Edinburgh
Tell us about the site and the trees. Beatrice reads every enquiry.