"Tree retention brings long-term value to communities. Mature canopies improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife and regulate temperature in warmer months. They also promote wellbeing"
- David Fisher - Geoworks
With confidence across the housing market fluctuating and planning reform still uncertain, what can developers do to deliver the homes the UK needs while meeting rising expectations around sustainability and placemaking? David Fisher, head of geosynthetic sales at Geoworks, believes one answer lies in the trees that already surround us.
It has been a year marked by turbulence. Sales have stalled in some regions, and many schemes have been delayed because of planning challenges. At the same time, housing targets continue to dominate headlines and pressure on land use has never been greater. In this landscape, developers are being asked to balance viability with environmental responsibility while still creating places that attract long-term residents.
Against this backdrop, new national research by Geoworks has shed light on a factor that many developers underestimate. A survey of more than 2,000 potential homebuyers found that more than 80% would prefer to purchase from a builder that prioritises the protection of existing trees and greenery. Many respondents also said they would be willing to pay more for homes in greener settings. More than half indicated increases of up to £10,000 or more.
These findings reveal a growing recognition that established trees are not simply an aesthetic benefit. For many buyers, they are central to how a place feels. They influence wellbeing, community identity and the sense of permanence that people look for when investing in a new home.
There were notable regional differences too. Attitudes were strongest in areas facing rapid development and high-density building. In the South East and Greater London, 81% of respondents said new housing projects lack sufficient green space. This echoes wider concerns about the erosion of natural features within expanding suburbs and commuter towns. The findings also align with broader environmental warnings.
The Woodland Trust has reported that more than 1,000 ancient woods have been threatened by development over the last decade. The loss of mature canopy cover carries consequences for biodiversity, local ecosystems and climate resilience. It also affects public confidence in the long-term stewardship of new communities.
Yet developers often face practical barriers when it comes to tree protection. Mature root networks can complicate groundworks, create constraints on access and increase engineering costs. As a result, the common response has been to remove established trees and replace them with new planting.
The problem is that this approach no longer reflects what buyers want. While planting new trees remains essential, saplings cannot replicate the immediate environmental and social value of mature specimens. They take years to establish and deliver benefits. For residents looking to move into a completed home, scenery that will mature in two decades does not offer the same appeal as a formed landscape on day one.
This is where modern engineering can provide a more balanced solution. Advances in geosynthetics and root protection systems are allowing developers to build around existing trees without compromising health or stability. Cellular confinement structures such as Geoworks’ ProtectaWeb distribute weight across a wider area and reduce soil compaction. This enables access roads, driveways and footpaths to be constructed while maintaining the integrity of root zones.
These systems bring consistency and predictability to a process that has traditionally been viewed as costly and complex. They allow design teams to plan confidently from the start. They also support compliance with planning requirements set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. Equally important, they help housebuilders meet rising expectations from buyers who want greener neighbourhoods.
Tree retention brings long-term value to communities. Mature canopies improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife and regulate temperature in warmer months. They also promote wellbeing. Studies continue to show that access to green space reduces stress and encourages outdoor activity. When these benefits are embedded into a development from the outset, they strengthen the character and resilience of the place as it grows.
There is also a commercial motivation. In a competitive market, homes that offer an immediate connection to nature stand out. They are more likely to attract committed buyers who value the wider environment around their home as much as the property itself. By protecting established trees, developers can differentiate their schemes in ways that are backed by evidence and aligned with future policy direction.
As housing pressures continue, the industry must find practical strategies that meet environmental commitments without slowing down delivery. Root protection is one of the most straightforward. It bridges the gap between the need for growth and the need to protect the natural assets that communities care about.
The message from homebuyers is clear. Green space is no longer a bonus; it is an expectation. Mature trees carry value that cannot be replicated through planting alone. Developers who recognise this and adopt solutions that allow for effective retention will be better placed to deliver sustainable, liveable developments across the UK.
The future of housing depends not only on the number of homes we build but on the quality of the environments we create. Tree retention has become a defining part of that conversation. Those who embrace it now will help shape places that people want to call home.
