Here are presented the results of a survey, first step of an experiment conducted in two rural areas in Lorraine, dominated by mixed-farming. This experiment aims at developing a methodology for a participatory territorial design approach around trees outside forests (TOF). Around 40 local stakeholders (agricultural or not) were individually invited to talk about the place and the role that TOF have or should have in the rural areas studied. The qualitative interviews were facilitated by a set of 23 cards (playing card format), illustrating various issues related to agroforestry, the territory and the administrative environment. From these interviews, it appears that TOF are considered crucial to limit global changes and to adapt to climate change and maintain the quality of the living environment. They are perceived both as a heritage to be protected and as a responsibility towards future generations. As public goods, their management sometimes gives rise to misunderstandings and conflicts. As natural elements, they have an intrinsic value or must provide services to humans, even goods. The balance between the constraints they generate and the benefits they provide drives their disappearance or reintroduction in rural areas. They can promote the local supply of goods and the development of activities. However, their role in the local supply of firewood is controversial, while material wood and food are rarely mentioned. Their rehabilitation would require inventing new ways of life and social interactions in a common and altruistic project, of which future generations would be the main beneficiaries. This requires at least sharing costs and labour, relocating production and consumption, as well as training professionals and educating the inhabitants, especially the youngest. All this material feeds the following stages of the participatory project, with workshops aimed at informing, comparing points of view and finally imagining different possible futures.