A conference organised by Christiana Payne and Fiona Stafford

In recent years, town planners, educationalists, environmentalists and psychologists have become increasingly aware of the beneficial effect exercised by trees and woodland on human development, happiness and mental health. There is a growing recognition of the importance of trees in urban areas, for encouraging sociability, play and physical exercise, as well as improving air quality. New practices, such as forest schools and forest bathing, have highlighted the contribution trees can make to learning and stress relief. But there is also a long history of people finding solace in the woods, and expressing their responses through art and literature. This conference aims to bring together researchers and practitioners from a wide variety of disciplinary and professional backgrounds to discuss how, and why, trees, forests and woodland can make us all feel better.