Cost of Tree Survey Report
across the UK

# Tree Survey Report Accreditation Guide

Tree survey reports in the UK are typically overseen by several key professional bodies. The Arboricultural Association is the primary trade body for arborists and tree care professionals, offering qualifications and accreditation that demonstrate competence in assessing tree health, safety, and management. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is relevant for larger surveys that form part of property assessments, and membership indicates compliance with rigorous professional standards. The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) may be involved in environmental aspects of tree surveys. Additionally, some surveyors work to BS 5837:2012, the British Standard for tree surveys in relation to demolition, development, and other work affecting trees, which is not itself an accreditation but a quality standard that accredited professionals typically follow. Understanding which bodies and standards apply to your survey helps ensure you're receiving a service delivered to recognised professional levels.

To verify a provider's credentials, you should ask directly for their accreditation status and request evidence, such as membership certificates or registration numbers that you can cross-check on the relevant trade body's website. The Arboricultural Association maintains a public register of members, as do RICS and IEMA, allowing you to confirm current standing and any disciplinary history. Ask whether the surveyor holds relevant qualifications such as the National Diploma in Arboriculture or higher-level certifications, and whether they hold professional indemnity insurance, which is standard practice and protects you if work is negligent. It matters because accreditation indicates ongoing professional development requirements, adherence to a code of conduct, and recourse to complaints procedures if something goes wrong. An unaccredited surveyor may be cheaper, but you have limited protection and less assurance that the survey meets industry standards.

Accredited tree surv