
Blog The Root Cause: Protecting Trees for Greener Homes and Healthier Communities 08 September 2025 David Fisher Head of Geosynthetics Sales When we talk about housing developments, the conversation usually centres on the number of units delivered, the speed of construction, or the quality of the homes themselves. But ask the people who will live in those homes, and a different story emerges. Our research shows that green spaces and mature trees are just as important to buyers as the houses themselves. That’s why we've launched The Root Cause – a campaign to highlight the often-overlooked role of tree root protection in delivering homes that people want to buy and communities where they want to stay. Why trees matter in new developments Trees bring multiple benefits to urban and suburban areas. Environmentally, they help to capture carbon, reduce air pollution, and regulate local temperatures. Ecologically, they provide habitats for birds, bats, insects and small mammals, increasing biodiversity within developments. Socially, they enhance the visual appeal of a neighbourhood, offering shade, colour and character. Less obvious, but just as important, is their impact on our wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that access to greenery can lower stress, improve mood and even encourage more physical activity. For families weighing up whether to move into a new estate, a line of mature trees can make the difference between a house and a home. The Root Cause Top blogs Why use a separate geotextile underneath a gravel grid rather than a closed-cell design? The Root Cause: Why Protecting Existing Trees Matters More Than Planting New Do it yourself - The DIY Home range Geocells hold underestimated potential within modern construction Woven vs. Nonwoven geotextiles Why Their Removal Can Spark Community Uproar But beyond these clear benefits, existing residents often see mature trees and hedgerows as integral to their community’s identity. When developers remove them without sensitivity, it can ignite public opposition, sometimes enough to halt or reshape projects. Recent issues around tree removal Maidenhead Woodland Removal (January 2024) A new housing project in Maidenhead resulted in the removal of woodland, prompting resident backlash. Locals criticised the demolition of natural greenery—even though the developer, Berkeley Homes, defended the work by citing the poor quality of removed trees and pledged to replant higher-quality, native species alongside bat and bird habitats. Inverness Biodiversity-based Rejection (April 2025) A planning application for a new house within a residential garden in Inverness was blocked. Local residents and council planners cited the impact on mature trees and biodiversity as reasons to refuse permission. “Happy Man Tree” in Hackney, London (2020–2021) A 150-year-old London plane the “Happy Man Tree” facing removal for a housing regeneration project became the centre of intense community protest. A petition gathered 22,000 signatures, and a High Court injunction was granted to stem protests, yet the tree was eventually felled. Campaigners argued the loss was avoidable with earlier design changes. Why This Matters for Developers These examples show that trees and hedgerows often serve as much more than just physical features, they are cherished landmarks and ecological assets, deeply embedded in local identity and wellbeing. Overlooking their value: Risks community opposition, public petitions, and backlash that can delay or derail planning. Undermines trust with local residents and authorities, damaging a developer’s reputation. Misses an opportunity to demonstrate care, design finesse, and long-term thinking. In contrast, proactive tree protection, such as integrating innovative solutions like our ProtectaWeb system not only shields root health, but also demonstrates respect for community and nature, smoothing the path to approval and ensuring developments are both desirable and sustainable. Learn more with The Root Cause ProtectaWeb Tree Root Protection What homebuyers are telling us To dig deeper into the value people place on greenery, we surveyed 2,000 people across the UK who are actively considering buying a home. The results were clear and consistent: 78% of buyers said the presence of mature trees and green spaces would influence their decision to purchase a home. 68% highlighted that trees improve their quality of life, with benefits such as cleaner air, noise reduction and a sense of calm. 51% said they would be willing to pay more for a property in a greener development. 32% ranked access to green space as equally important as access to good transport links. This tells us that for many buyers, greenery is not a “nice to have”, it is a core requirement. Developers who fail to protect and integrate trees risk falling short of market expectations. Take a look at the survey results Regional differences London and the South East Buyers here placed the highest premium on mature trees and green space. Many told us greenery helps offset the density and pace of city life, making it a deciding factor when choosing between developments. Midlands and North of England Green space was still valued, but respondents here were more likely to weigh it against affordability and transport links. Trees and natural features were described as “welcome extras” rather than deal-breakers. Scotland and Wales A stronger emphasis was placed on environmental and community benefits. Buyers in these regions more often linked access to trees with biodiversity, sustainability and mental wellbeing. Generational shift Across all regions, buyers under 35 were more likely than older groups to say they would pay more for a home in a greener development, signalling changing priorities for the next generation of homeowners. A Nation of Tree Lovers Britain has always been a nation of tree lovers. From ancient oaks and village greens to the everyday street trees that line our roads, we live in a green and pleasant land, and you could argue that the nation was built on our mighty English oaks. Our trees and woodlands are symbols of continuity, memory, and belonging. Protecting them isn’t simply about ecology or planning, it’s about honouring values that run deep in our shared culture. These insights suggest that while greenery matters everywhere, developers in high-density areas risk losing buyers without it, whereas in regions where affordability dominates, the value of trees may need to be communicated in terms of long-term wellbeing, biodiversity and community benefits. The challenge on site Despite their importance, trees on construction sites face significant risks. Root systems, which often spread out far wider than the canopy above, are particularly vulnerable. Heavy machinery, vehicle movements, and soil compaction can all damage roots irreversibly. Once compromised, trees may decline or even die, undermining both biodiversity and the attractiveness of the development. Balancing the need to preserve mature trees with the practicalities of construction has historically been difficult. This is where innovative geosynthetic solutions can make a tangible difference. Tree Root Protection ProtectaWeb A practical solution At Geoworks, we provide developers with a straightforward way to safeguard existing trees. Our ProtectaWeb tree root protection system is a geocell solution that creates a stable, permeable surface above the root zone. ProtectaWeb distributes weight evenly, meaning vehicles, machinery and pedestrians can pass without compacting the soil beneath. Crucially, it allows air and water to continue reaching the roots, ensuring that trees remain healthy throughout construction and long after residents have moved in. This makes ProtectaWeb ideal for: Access roads and driveways within new housing schemes Temporary construction routes over sensitive root zones Footpaths and cycleways designed to integrate seamlessly with existing green infrastructure By enabling safe use of land while protecting what lies beneath, ProtectaWeb bridges the gap between development needs and environmental responsibility. Find out more about ProtectaWeb The bigger picture: sustainable, desirable communities Tree root protection is not just a planning requirement or an environmental tick-box exercise. It is a way of futureproofing developments and ensuring long-term value. Buyers have made it clear: they want to live in greener neighbourhoods. Developers who take tree protection seriously can enhance the appeal of their sites, achieve smoother planning approvals, and ultimately deliver homes that sell faster and retain their value. Moreover, protecting mature trees reduces the need for costly replanting and ensures that communities enjoy the benefits of established greenery from day one. This contributes to healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods that are better equipped to adapt to climate change. Related content The Root Cause There are so many ways that trees play a vital role in our lives - from boosting our health and wellbeing to reducing noise pollution and cleaning our air. Tree root protection Avoid a concrete jungle by including flexible rooting volume and growing trees in your urban developments. The Root Cause Through The Root Cause, we want to start a conversation across the industry about the hidden but critical role of tree root protection. By highlighting buyer expectations alongside practical solutions, our aim is to support new build developers in creating schemes that deliver for both people and the planet. ProtectaWeb is just one part of this, but it is a vital tool for ensuring that the trees which give character, beauty and biodiversity to our communities are safeguarded for generations to come. The Root Cause Latest news and blogs Article 80% Of Homebuyers Prefer To Purchase From Tree-Preserving Builders, New Study Shows More than 80% of UK homebuyers would prefer to purchase from housebuilders who prioritise tree and greenery preservation, our survey has found. The findings highlight a growing public demand for sustainable development practices and underscore the importance of innovative solutions in safeguarding natural landscapes during construction. Sep 8, 2025 The Root Cause: Why Protecting Existing Trees Matters More Than Planting New Blog 08 September 2025 When new homes are built, trees are often treated as optional extras. Some are kept, many are removed, and replacement planting is added into planning conditions as a way to “offset” the loss. On paper, it looks balanced. In practice, it doesn’t work. The Root Cause: Protecting Trees for Greener Homes and Healthier Communities Blog 08 September 2025 When we talk about housing developments, the conversation usually centres on the number of units delivered, the speed of construction, or the quality of the homes themselves. But ask the people who will live in those homes, and a different story emerges. Our research shows that green spaces and mature trees are just as important to buyers as the houses themselves. CellTrack HD 50: The smarter more sustainable choice Blog 23 June 2025 CellTrack HD (50mm) is a practical choice for heavy-duty access areas, offering strength without unnecessary depth. It reduces the need for excavation and backfill, saving time, materials, and carbon. Latest news and blogs Share this page

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The Root Cause: Protecting Trees for Greener Homes and Healthier Communities

08 September 2025

David Fisher

Head of Geosynthetics Sales

When we talk about housing developments, the conversation usually centres on the number of units delivered, the speed of construction, or the quality of the homes themselves. But ask the people who will live in those homes, and a different story emerges. Our research shows that green spaces and mature trees are just as important to buyers as the houses themselves.

That’s why we've launched The Root Cause – a campaign to highlight the often-overlooked role of tree root protection in delivering homes that people want to buy and communities where they want to stay.

Why trees matter in new developments

Trees bring multiple benefits to urban and suburban areas. Environmentally, they help to capture carbon, reduce air pollution, and regulate local temperatures. Ecologically, they provide habitats for birds, bats, insects and small mammals, increasing biodiversity within developments. Socially, they enhance the visual appeal of a neighbourhood, offering shade, colour and character.

Less obvious, but just as important, is their impact on our wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that access to greenery can lower stress, improve mood and even encourage more physical activity. For families weighing up whether to move into a new estate, a line of mature trees can make the difference between a house and a home.

The Root Cause

Top blogs

Why use a separate geotextile underneath a gravel grid rather than a closed-cell design?

The Root Cause: Why Protecting Existing Trees Matters More Than Planting New

Do it yourself - The DIY Home range

Geocells hold underestimated potential within modern construction

Woven vs. Nonwoven geotextiles

Why Their Removal Can Spark Community Uproar

But beyond these clear benefits, existing residents often see mature trees and hedgerows as integral to their community’s identity. When developers remove them without sensitivity, it can ignite public opposition, sometimes enough to halt or reshape projects.

Recent issues around tree removal

Maidenhead Woodland Removal (January 2024)

A new housing project in Maidenhead resulted in the removal of woodland, prompting resident backlash. Locals criticised the demolition of natural greenery—even though the developer, Berkeley Homes, defended the work by citing the poor quality of removed trees and pledged to replant higher-quality, native species alongside bat and bird habitats.

Inverness Biodiversity-based Rejection (April 2025)

A planning application for a new house within a residential garden in Inverness was blocked. Local residents and council planners cited the impact on mature trees and biodiversity as reasons to refuse permission.

“Happy Man Tree” in Hackney, London (2020–2021)

A 150-year-old London plane the “Happy Man Tree” facing removal for a housing regeneration project became the centre of intense community protest. A petition gathered 22,000 signatures, and a High Court injunction was granted to stem protests, yet the tree was eventually felled. Campaigners argued the loss was avoidable with earlier design changes.

Why This Matters for Developers

These examples show that trees and hedgerows often serve as much more than just physical features, they are cherished landmarks and ecological assets, deeply embedded in local identity and wellbeing. Overlooking their value:

Risks community opposition, public petitions, and backlash that can delay or derail planning.
Undermines trust with local residents and authorities, damaging a developer’s reputation.
Misses an opportunity to demonstrate care, design finesse, and long-term thinking.

In contrast, proactive tree protection, such as integrating innovative solutions like our ProtectaWeb system not only shields root health, but also demonstrates respect for community and nature, smoothing the path to approval and ensuring developments are both desirable and sustainable.

Learn more with The Root Cause ProtectaWeb Tree Root Protection

What homebuyers are telling us

To dig deeper into the value people place on greenery, we surveyed 2,000 people across the UK who are actively considering buying a home. The results were clear and consistent:

78% of buyers said the presence of mature trees and green spaces would influence their decision to purchase a home.
68% highlighted that trees improve their quality of life, with benefits such as cleaner air, noise reduction and a sense of calm.
51% said they would be willing to pay more for a property in a greener development.
32% ranked access to green space as equally important as access to good transport links.

This tells us that for many buyers, greenery is not a “nice to have”, it is a core requirement. Developers who fail to protect and integrate trees risk falling short of market expectations.

Take a look at the survey results

Regional differences

London and the South East

Buyers here placed the highest premium on mature trees and green space. Many told us greenery helps offset the density and pace of city life, making it a deciding factor when choosing between developments.

Midlands and North of England

Green space was still valued, but respondents here were more likely to weigh it against affordability and transport links. Trees and natural features were described as “welcome extras” rather than deal-breakers.

Scotland and Wales

A stronger emphasis was placed on environmental and community benefits. Buyers in these regions more often linked access to trees with biodiversity, sustainability and mental wellbeing.

Generational shift

Across all regions, buyers under 35 were more likely than older groups to say they would pay more for a home in a greener development, signalling changing priorities for the next generation of homeowners.

A Nation of Tree Lovers

Britain has always been a nation of tree lovers. From ancient oaks and village greens to the everyday street trees that line our roads, we live in a green and pleasant land, and you could argue that the nation was built on our mighty English oaks.

Our trees and woodlands are symbols of continuity, memory, and belonging. Protecting them isn’t simply about ecology or planning, it’s about honouring values that run deep in our shared culture.

These insights suggest that while greenery matters everywhere, developers in high-density areas risk losing buyers without it, whereas in regions where affordability dominates, the value of trees may need to be communicated in terms of long-term wellbeing, biodiversity and community benefits.

Houses with trees being grown on the development site

The challenge on site

Despite their importance, trees on construction sites face significant risks. Root systems, which often spread out far wider than the canopy above, are particularly vulnerable. Heavy machinery, vehicle movements, and soil compaction can all damage roots irreversibly. Once compromised, trees may decline or even die, undermining both biodiversity and the attractiveness of the development.

Balancing the need to preserve mature trees with the practicalities of construction has historically been difficult. This is where innovative geosynthetic solutions can make a tangible difference.

Tree Root Protection

ProtectaWeb

A practical solution

At Geoworks, we provide developers with a straightforward way to safeguard existing trees. Our ProtectaWeb tree root protection system is a geocell solution that creates a stable, permeable surface above the root zone.

ProtectaWeb distributes weight evenly, meaning vehicles, machinery and pedestrians can pass without compacting the soil beneath. Crucially, it allows air and water to continue reaching the roots, ensuring that trees remain healthy throughout construction and long after residents have moved in.

This makes ProtectaWeb ideal for:

Access roads and driveways within new housing schemes
Temporary construction routes over sensitive root zones
Footpaths and cycleways designed to integrate seamlessly with existing green infrastructure

By enabling safe use of land while protecting what lies beneath, ProtectaWeb bridges the gap between development needs and environmental responsibility.

Find out more about ProtectaWeb

The bigger picture: sustainable, desirable communities

Tree root protection is not just a planning requirement or an environmental tick-box exercise. It is a way of futureproofing developments and ensuring long-term value. Buyers have made it clear: they want to live in greener neighbourhoods. Developers who take tree protection seriously can enhance the appeal of their sites, achieve smoother planning approvals, and ultimately deliver homes that sell faster and retain their value.

Moreover, protecting mature trees reduces the need for costly replanting and ensures that communities enjoy the benefits of established greenery from day one. This contributes to healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods that are better equipped to adapt to climate change.

Latest news and blogs

Article

80% Of Homebuyers Prefer To Purchase From Tree-Preserving Builders, New Study Shows

More than 80% of UK homebuyers would prefer to purchase from housebuilders who prioritise tree and greenery preservation, our survey has found.

The findings highlight a growing public demand for sustainable development practices and underscore the importance of innovative solutions in safeguarding natural landscapes during construction.

Sep 8, 2025

The Root Cause: Why Protecting Existing Trees Matters More Than Planting New

Blog

08 September 2025

When new homes are built, trees are often treated as optional extras. Some are kept, many are removed, and replacement planting is added into planning conditions as a way to “offset” the loss.

On paper, it looks balanced. In practice, it doesn’t work.