The Forestry Commission has conducted similar surveys of public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues every two years since 1995. The most recent surveys were conducted in 2017 (with separate surveys in Scotland, Wales, and across the UK as a whole) and in 2014 (in Northern Ireland). The full results are available within the 2017 and 2014 Public Opinion of Forestry reports available on our website at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/statistics-by-topic/public-opinion-of-forestry/.

Questions were introduced in 2013, to gauge the public’s views on tree health issues.

Latest results show that the highest level of agreement was seen with the statement “action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases”, with 85% of UK respondents in 2017 agreeing (agree or strongly agree) (Figure 5.2). This compares with only 23% agreeing with the statements “there is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases” and “I am aware that possible tree pests and diseases can be reported using the Tree Alert app or website”.

Figure 5.2 Public opinion on tree health

^{Source: UK Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2017.}

^{Base: 2,000 UK respondents.}

^{These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics}