Let’s get Fife’s trees and woods on the map  

Through the Fife Climate Forest programme, and connected with the Transforming Fife’s Greenspace project, we have launched a Fife-wide citizen science initiative to support understanding of the region’s trees and woodland.  

We particularly want to know about trees on streets, in gardens and in other urban areas. We aim to highlight the importance of and benefits from trees in these landscapes.

Tree Canopy Survey

The Tree Canopy Survey collects information on existing trees in Fife that are outside of a woodland. By taking part, you can deepen your connection with local nature while contributing valuable information about individual trees across the region.

You can record:

• Tree species
• Location
• Trunk circumference
• Canopy size

You can also upload a photo of the tree.

These records help us estimate each tree’s age. We can also assess biodiversity value and map canopy cover across Fife. Over time, this information will support efforts to protect, expand and celebrate Fife’s trees.  

hedgerow planting survey

Fife’s hedgerows play an essential role in supporting wildlife. They connect habitats and shape the landscape. We have developed this survey to help understand the diversity and growth of hedgerows in Fife.

This survey focuses on three key areas: newly planted hedgerows, gap-filling projects, and the species mix that makes up Fife’s hedgerow network. You can record:  

• Location
• Tree species
• Recent planting or improvements

You can record engagement with surrounding landowners or project funding. This will help to inform future hedgerow planting projects.

Individual tree planting survey

Planting a tree is a small action that can make a significant difference. Capturing details of the new trees that are planted in Fife contributes to a bigger picture of how Fife’s tree cover is expanding.

If you have planted a single tree, this survey allows you to record:

• Tree species
• location

You can also submit a photo of the tree.

This survey is connected to the Tree Canopy Survey to build one overall dataset of Fife’s trees. By taking part, you can help to track the beginnings of Fife’s future tree landscape.

Woodland and orchard tree planting survey

Across Fife, many community groups, volunteers and landowners are planting lots of trees. Rather than recording individual trees, the survey looks at the planting site as a whole, to understand where trees are being established across Fife.

You can record:

• The planting area of a woodland or orchard
• The species mix

These details will help to show how diverse and resilient each planting project is. They also help to predict future canopy cover.

Fruit tree planting map

As part of the A Fruit Tree for Every Garden in Fife campaign we want people to map the fruit trees in their gardens. You can include the type of tree (apple, pear, plum, for example) and the variety (such as Victoria plum). You can also add a photo.