Further Cross-National Studies of Tree Form Preference

Extending a study published in this journal, college students in Africa, Europe, and an area on the U.S.-Mexico border rated the attractiveness of two sets of tree shapes. Consistent with earlier results, there was a strong preference for trees with the generic acacia shape as well as a preference for trees common in the respondent's early experience. Although both formal characteristics and early experience influence the perceived attractiveness of tree shapes, formal characteristics appear to play the greater role.