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A considerable number of findings and research material has been gathered since the original Woodland Strategy was produced in 2003.
This process culminated in the publication of the Woodland Wealth Appraisal of 2010. Click here to read this PDF.

This reappraisal updated the monetary value of the 'natural benefits' that existing trees and woodlands provide and that underpin the welfare of East of England society and its supporting economy.

This diagram shows the individual benefits of the East of England's trees and woodlands. Their order of importance is governed by their estimated monetary value and/or their potential to realise a dividend for the East of England.

For further detail read the full '2010 Woodland Wealth Appraisal' report.

'Click' here to download or print a PDF of this summary table.

The decision tree below is an alternative route for examining the individual benefits of trees and woodland.

Multiple benefits of trees & woodlands:

Climatic change
contribution
(carbon stock
£3 billion + p.a.)

 Mitigating climate change
(£60 million p.a.)

Trees remove CO2 to create a huge carbon sink,
i.e. carbon sequestration
Trees provide significant low-carbon options
for building and energy
  Tempering impact of severe weather

The capacity of trees to attenuate heavy rain and
floods slows run-off and renders Sustainable
Urban Drainage Systems more effective
  Moderating temperatures

The ability of trees to evaporate water, reflect
sunlight and provide shade combine to cut the

Economic
dividend
(£1 billion +)

 Contributing to local
economies
(£661.6 million p.a.)

Direct:
Added tourism & recreation revenue
Field sports & game
Inward investment encouraged
Jobs created
Retail areas with trees perform better
Increased property values

Indirect:
People more productive
Increased job satisfaction
Recognition of trees as assets
Improved woodland practices
  Providing marketable products
(£345.5 million p.a.)

Timber/improved exploitation of resource
Renewable fuel – via coppicing etc.
Firewood/woodchip
Fruit – community orchards
Compost/leaf litter mulch
  Reducing costs
(£0.88 million p.a.)

Reduced flooding damage
Trees are much less maintenance-intensive

Social
enhancements
(approaching
£200 million p.a.)

 Securing health benefits
(Health saving £19.5 million)

Cleaner air means less asthma
Lower risk of skin cancer
Quicker patient recovery times
Reduced stress
Positive impact on mental health and well being
Encourages exercise that can counteract heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes
  Adding to quality of life
(£124 million p.a.)

Added spiritual values:
Landscape quality
Increase countryside access delivers peace of mind
Heightened self-esteem
Puts people more in touch with Nature and the seasons
Symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia alleviated

Better social values:
More harmonious environments
Heightened sense of pride in place
Greater community cohesion

Preserving the past:
Woodlands' capacity to preserve archaeological sites safeguards the cultural heritage
Improving urban living

Provides attractive green infrastructure
Improves buildings' energy efficiency and can help to alleviate
fuel poverty
Increased CO2 absorption
Moderated micro-climate
Improved protection in winter
Baffles noise
Reduced crime levels
Better pedestrian safety
  Benefiting education
(£1.23 million p.a.)

Concentration increases in 'natural' classrooms Better learning outcomes

Environmental
advantage
(£100 million + p.a.)

 Enhancing biodiversity
(£70 million p.a.)

Extra links render countryside more porous
Brings wildlife closer to people
Land restoration returning landscape to a natural/more
viable state
  Better air quality

Reduced hospital admission costs
  Improving water quality
(£33 million p.a.)

Trees act as natural filters
  Cutting soil erosion

Preserves the valuable soil resource and keeps carbon locked in
  Managing flooding

Trees can help prevent flooding or provide mitigation
measures
  Aesthetic contributions

Attractive landscape
Green infrastructure/greener more natural
Linking town to country
Eye-sores hidden

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