Tree Charter

Recover health, hope and wellbeing with the help of trees

Peace grows quietly in tree-lined places, where bees, fresh scents and birdsong revive our jaded senses. Sprays of greenery ensure cleaner air and clearer minds, and fitter bodies, more inclined to take a walk or meet a friend. Spirits lift and stress recedes when we stroll through healing glades. Parks and woodlands keep us well and help to quell fears of illness, ageing, loss – we breathe more freely under trees. Healthcare and tree-care go hand in hand: harness the therapeutic power of trees.

TREE CHARTER IN ACTION

Articles
Evidence

Develop an action plan to harness the health benefits of trees
Trees can contribute to healthcare if their potential is explored. Develop a visionary and inspiring plan of action in partnership with the NHS to realise the preventative and health potential of trees, woods and green space for people.

Create health opportunities through cross-sector partnerships
Health benefits can be enjoyed from trees and woods that are performing other roles in the landscape. Encourage and enable embedded cross-sector working between the health sector and the forestry, conservation and green space management sectors.

Create healthier environments with trees
Bringing trees closer to people where they live and work has been shown to improve their health and wellbeing by improving air quality, raising their spirits and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Local Authorities should ensure the presence of trees where people live and work as part of their health and wellbeing strategy.

Create spaces that heal
Careful design and management choices can maximise the health benefits of trees. Light, open outdoor spaces surrounded by varied trees offer an uplifting and restful experience, and safe level access to green spaces with trees encourages healthier active travel choices such as cycling and walking. Inside buildings, the use of visible timber products has been shown to lower stress and improve mood. Planners, landscape architects, site managers and designers should seek to harness the health benefits of trees when defining spaces for people.

Promote the benefits of green surroundings
Views of trees through windows can improve concentration and lower stress for those who cannot go outside. Institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals and care homes should strive to ensure that trees can be seen through every window to maximise the benefits to occupants.

Give children a daily dose of trees
In our formative years we establish habits that stay with us for life. Schools should seek to ensure that time spent outside with trees is a frequent part of school life for students of all ages, ensuring children discover the benefits of time amongst trees. The health benefits of trees should be part of the curriculum.

Trees Improve Our Air Quality
The Urban Forestry Network describe the many benefits of trees for improving air quality.
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Nature and wellbeing
A report by the University of Essex for The Wildlife Trusts examines the wellbeing benefits from natural environments rich in wildlife.
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Health and the natural environment
Various reports by Natural England expand on the health benefits of the natural environment.
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Woods for Health
Forestry Commission Scotland have a selection of policy, case study and research evidence with a specific focus on woodlands.
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Natural Thinking
This report by Dr William Bird for the RSPB investigates the links between the natural environment, biodiversity and mental health.
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Healthy Woods: Healthy Lives
Four Woodland Trust case studies demonstrate the health benefits to be gained from time spent in woods.
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Trees in healthcare
CHS Networks provides access to a number of resources describing the role of trees in healthcare.
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DON'T STOP THERE

Enjoy a woodland or tree-based event: search the Tree Council’s calendar

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Small dog on a log in a bluebell woodland

Find a wood near you to visit: search the Woodland Trust’s map

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An adult, child and person in a wheelchair enjoying trees outside a hospital

Discover how NHS Forest is opening up healthy green spaces for communities

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Woman in walking boots walking through a meadow

Get involved in The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild in June

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Join a TVC Green Gym and exercise while making a difference to your local green space

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School group on a hillside overlooking trees

Access Learning Through Landscapes ideas and support for getting schoolchildren outside

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Ensure everyone has the opportunity and means to access local woodland

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YOUR STORIES

Bare branches of a winter tree against blue sky

"Trees are a natural part of our environment.They soak up carbon dioxide for one. They contain medicinal properties. They are part of our ecosystem. They help with drainage and provide oxygen.They create a peaceful environment to live in. Who wants to live in a concrete jungle? Where do you get your shade from? It is imperative that we protect our trees for future generations. With the pollution there is around us, it becomes imperative."

Rose

Image: Sarah Rouse

Woman walking her dogs through steep woodland

"Our son has ADHD and walking through the woods, being surrounded by trees and nature, brings him peace. He is free to explore and be himself. No boundaries, no rules, just himself and the trees. Some of our most special family memories are among the trees….and we look forward to creating many more."

Jeanine

Image: Vanessa Macdonald

"I have for as long as I can remember, felt ‘at ease’ when walking under or in an avenue of trees. It just feels ‘right’ and comforting to have trees around me. One of the reasons I joined the Woodland Trust is that trees help everyone regardless of their situation, in that they help to cleanse the environment we all live in. "

Michael

Image: Amanda Bailey

"As a teacher of very young children, I was always keen to make them aware of and respect their natural surroundings, including plants, animals, insects and trees. In the grassy play area outside the classroom, there was a silver birch tree. Every Monday morning we looked at the tree and noticed the changes taking place as the weeks, months and seasons passed. We took photos of the children in front of the silver birch tree at the beginning of each new season and noted the changes in the tree and in the children as they both grew together. As years passed each different class of children became more aware of ‘their’ silver birch tree and I hope I nurtured in them a love of trees and nature."

Gail

Image: Sarah Rouse

The leaves of one tree turn red while others stay green

"I can’t overstate the importance of trees, especially the ancient trees and forests of Britain. They are clearly crucial ecologically, but also psychologically. I live in London and get pleasure every single day from observing the trees outside my flat – the Victorian lime (linden) trees, the apple trees with their knobbly branches, blossom and then fruit, the dark pink May tree, and all the others."

Katherine

Image: Gill Cross

A garden with mature trees backing onto a river

"I’ve lived in various cities around the UK and also abroad and nature always makes me feel at home. No matter how stressed, tired or upset I am, I always love looking outside or going for a walk in the local park or nature reserve. I want to do everything I can to protect trees and the variety of life they support."

Katie

Image: Kay Blount