The paper is based on a selection of empirical studies undertaken in Switzerland, Germany and France on the social meaning of forests. Relevant results from this research are used in order to discuss the intensity) and variety of urban forest uses; to give indications about preferred forest areas and about the ways and means to reach them; and to analyse the motives of visitors as well as the meanings that the public attributes to forests. The findings, based on a limited number of specific cases, give an indication with regard to the intensity of use and the range of statements about perceptions associated with forests. The conclusions examine the relevance of applied social research to multipurpose forest management, that reacts to changing demands of the public.