i-Tree Eco Study

We asked:

The i-Tree eco study invited Wirral residents to share their thoughts and experiences about trees in their communities.

In the survey, residents were asked about the number of trees in their area, the health of these trees, the type of trees they like to see and where they like to see them. They were also asked what they already do, or would like to do, when it comes to looking after trees in Wirral.


You said:

The questionnaire yielded 304 responses.

  • Eighty-five percent of respondents said that they were able to see three or more trees looking out from their home.
  • Fifty-eight percent of participants said that they were able to visit their local trees and woodlands as often as they would like.
  • Ninety-four percent of respondents said that they did not find it difficult to travel to their local trees and woods. The main barrier to access to trees and woods was a lack of time.
  • Over ninety percent of people felt that there were too few trees in Wirral.
  • People generally thought that managing trees to reduce their potentially negative impacts (such as subsidence, leaf drop or pollen) was less important than managing them to increase their positive impacts such as creating a nice place to live and contributing to clean air.
  • Most respondents indicated that they wanted to get more involved with decision making around local trees and around one in two said that they knew who to contact if a tree in their neighbourhood was causing annoyance.
  • Many participants said that they had - or would be willing to - plant trees in their own garden.
  • Respondents indicated that they consider trees and woods to be important in many ways.
  • Survey respondents felt trees make the most positive contribution in urban woodlands and public parks/recreational areas.
  • Many survey respondents said they would like to see more oak trees in their local area or neighbourhood. After oak trees, rowan, cherry, birch, and fruit trees were the species that people would like to see more of in their local area.
  • Most survey respondents would like any trees planted in their local area to be mostly native.
  • Most survey respondents thought that the trees in their street were healthy.

For more information about the consultation and to view the Wirral iTree Technical Report click here.

We did:

The findings of this consultation will inform tree management going forwards. A review of the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy is now taking place and the recommendations from the i-Tree Eco study and this consultation will feed into the revised strategy.

Summary of the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland strategy:

  • In the ten-year span of this strategy over 210,000 trees will be planted, at least 21,000 per year.
  • We will adopt the principle of 'the right tree for the right place' to ensure the most resilient tree population possible.
  • We will establish a clear picture of Wirral’s tree stock and its benefits.
  • We will work constructively with individuals and groups to deliver this vision.

Please click here to review the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland strategy.