Is a tree a tree? Or is it £5000? The true value of trees is often ignored or mistaken in design projects. Therefore, does applying monetary benefits to trees assist in increasing how they might be valued and used? How else might trees and other vegetation be valued at an NHS (National Health Service) mental health hospital site? Especially in the contexts of sustainable design to reduce carbon, increase biodiversity and improve patient and staff health outcomes?

Outputs will be an i-Tree Canopy survey, concept drawings, explanatory document, and a film (about making a film). This approach enables me to identify the value of existing trees; the potential value of adding more trees and other vegetation; and better determine the quantitative and qualitative values for various health outcomes (social, environmental, and economic). Statistics are used to present the existing situation and the value of a conceptual future situation for discussion.

Participatory methods of design are also explored to implement improvements, within guidelines such as NHS Forests. To drive improvements within the NHS, the value of projects needs to be shown in terms of health outcomes and their financial value.

Most of this is achieved simply by not mowing!