New resource to help local authorities measure the social and cultural value of trees
5 Jun 2025
Understanding how people and communities value their relationship with trees is an important consideration when developing a local authority Tree and Woodland Strategy (TAWS), a key tool for ensuring our treescapes flourish and are protected for the future.
However, capturing representative information about ‘value’ can be challenging. Trees matter to people in different ways, from providing a sense of place to appreciation of their value to nature. Historic, aesthetic and spiritual factors can also be important.
To address this challenge, Forest Research, alongside the University of York, Fera Science and The Tree Council, have developed a practical, new, robust* resource, funded by Defra, (“How measuring the social and cultural value of trees helps your trees and woodland strategy”) to help local authorities effectively measure the social and cultural values of trees in their area.
Available as part of The Tree Council’s existing ‘Tree and Woodland Strategy Toolkit**’, the resource provides local authorities and their stakeholders with guidance on how to develop a local survey, outlining a simple and structured approach to understand the ways in which trees are valued by people in a community. Results from a national survey of 5,000 people in England about the social and cultural values of trees are also provided.
Liz O’Brien, Principal Social Scientist at Forest Research said: “Although strong evidence exists which shows the social and cultural values of trees, this information can be hard to quantify. As a result, it’s often left out of decision-making at a local level.”
By following guidance in the module, local authorities will be equipped to conduct their own survey to gather tailored insights from communities or use our national data.
She continued, “By following guidance in the module, local authorities will be equipped to conduct their own survey to gather tailored insights from communities or use our national data. This will arm local authorities with strong evidence to help guide and justify decision-making as well as support bids for funding, both internally and externally.”
Jess Allan, The Tree Council Science & Research Action Manager, said:
“Trees are not only vital for our environment – they also hold deep social and cultural significance for local communities.
“Through The Tree Council’s Trees and Woodland Strategy Toolkit, we aim to support councils to create inclusive plans that reflect the social and cultural values of all their stakeholders – and the addition of this new tool will help them do just that.
“By embedding these values into their planning, local authorities can build a stronger, more representative vision – one that communities are more likely to support and benefit from, ultimately leading to healthier, more resilient treescapes.”
National survey results show that treescapes are highly valued at both the local and national levels, with importance for wildlife, seeing the changing seasons and mental wellbeing ranking highest in value.
Download the new module
*The module is based on research – Exploring the social and cultural values of trees and woodlands in England: A new composite measure – O’Brien – 2024 – People and Nature – Wiley Online Library
**The ‘Tree and Woodland Strategy Toolkit’ is funded by Defra and co-created by The Tree Council, Fera Science, Forest Research, the Forestry Commission, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Thursday 26 Jun 2025 1PM – 2PM (BST)
Together with Forest Research, The Tree Council is pleased to invite local authorities to attend an online lunch and learn session about how to understand and measure the ways that people and communities value trees. Whether your tree strategy is already in place or is in development, this session and the new module itself will provide useful insights into the latest research.
The session will include:
Forest Research, alongside the University of York, Fera Science and The Tree Council, have developed a practical, new, robust resource to help local authorities effectively measure the social and cultural values of trees in their area.
New research to understand the existing provision of public access to woodlands in England, as well as opportunities for increasing access, has been published by Forest Research.
Timber Price Indices data (to March 2025) and 2024 provisional figures for UK Wood Production and Trade have been released.
Forest Research, alongside the University of York, Fera Science and The Tree Council, have developed a practical, new, robust resource to help local authorities effectively measure the social and cultural values of trees in their area.
New research to understand the existing provision of public access to woodlands in England, as well as opportunities for increasing access, has been published by Forest Research.
Timber Price Indices data (to March 2025) and 2024 provisional figures for UK Wood Production and Trade have been released.
