To know the variation in local ecological knowledge (LEK) on tree management and its application among farmers, it is imperative that farmers’ knowledge groups are categorized and their inclination for LEK application identified. A study was therefore conducted in the Kumawu Forest District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to categorise knowledge holder groups in the farming community and their inclination for LEK application. Using a case study approach, data were collected through interviews with 120 farmers randomly drawn from 15 communities who cultivate mainly cocoa, maize and cassava-cocoyam-plantain mix. Knowledge holder group categories identified were according to gender, age and dominant cropping system. Among these categories, farmers’ applied and basic knowledge levels on trees varied. Basic knowledge on trees was related to gender and not age and cropping system of an individual contrary to applied knowledge on trees where variation in knowledge was related to age and cropping system practiced but not gender. The distribution of applied knowledge depended invariably more on the exposure of an individual which is usually expressed in age and linked to cropping systems practiced. Farmers were of the view that the roles and responsibilities of an individual in farming is what affect a person’s knowledge on tree management this was reflected in farmers’ priorities in tree management which is influenced by gender but not age of farmers and the overarching reasons for managing trees are ecological and conservation. This explains why farmers’ ecological knowledge in tree management is well developed.

Keywords: Gender, resource management priorities, forest restoration, knowledge holder groups, knowledge levels