Twice as many have closer relationship with trees than neighbours, Derby Uni study finds
Researchers from the University of Derby were looking into the importance of trees and the natural world on people's daily lives
New research from the University of Derby has found more than twice the number of people say they have a 'closer relationship' with their trees than they have with their nighbours.
Their study of 1,800 adults found 16% of people have a closer relationship with their trees.
The same survey saw that number at more than half for people who think they have a closer relationship with their neighbours - with that figure standing at just 7 per cent.
It was all about looking into the importance of trees and the environment on people's daily lives - and the impact of this on their wellbeing, with those behind the survey saying they were pleasantly 'surprised' by the findings.
Commenting on the findings, Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby, said: “Centuries of mass farming, industrialisation, roads, railways and urban expansion have resulted in the UK becoming one of the most deforested nations in Europe, so we were surprised to find that so many people felt so connected to trees.
“Half of the people who took part in the survey told us that they have a ‘favourite tree’, with 81% noticing trees wherever they go and over 90% agreeing trees are enjoyed by children. Almost all who took part told us that they felt a relationship with nature was significant and that it helped their mental health and wellbeing.”
Researchers from YouGov, commissioned by the University of Derby, asked more than 1,800 people from the National and Mersey Forest and the Brecon Beacons National Park back in October 2022, who also found that most had an awareness of the important role trees play in the environment.
Of those respondents, more than 85% agreed that trees create better air quality (94%), sustain wildlife (95%), and prevent flooding and erosion (86%).
Nearly all respondents agreed with at least one of these statements.
Additionally, around 90% of respondents said that trees were important for supporting health (86%) by reducing air pollution and creating places for relaxation and peace.
Almost all (92%) said that trees contribute to health (e.g. by air pollution reduction and by creating places for relaxation and peace for better mental health).
Professor Richardson added: “Although asking about people’s relationship with trees might seem unusual, we found that it is those who feel a close relationship with the natural world who take positive action towards it.
"Having a close emotional bond and feeling closely connected to trees and the wider natural world enhances our desire to protect and restore natural environments.”
Despite the high levels of awareness of the link between trees and the role they play in our natural environments, that didn't translate as well into positive action to help protect it.
Only half of those surveyed reported that they planted pollinator-friendly flowers frequently, and just 36% said they make homes for wildlife and insects in their gardens.
David Sheffield, Professor of Psychology at the University of Derby, said: “Biodiversity has declined at an alarming rate around the planet since 1970.
"Although many cherish what seems to be a ‘green and pleasant land’, there is a need for a wider understanding that things are not well.
"Nature needs to be central to our everyday lives and trees are a great starting point. They contribute to our mental wellbeing and physical survival as individuals and as a species.”
Overall, respondents felt that urban development (74%) presented the greatest threat to trees - higher than climate change (65%), storms (63%) and exotic/new diseases and pests (55%).