This review, which is derived from an analysis supporting the publication of FAO’s recent global synthesis on the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources, provides information on what we know about the value of trees to rural communities in the context of both the level of tree domestication that has taken place and the management setting. Our review supports the SOW-FGR by providing an insight into livelihood issues that goes beyond the limited quantitative data available in the Country Reports used to compile the global synthesis (see Appendix A).