The growing economies in the South, market globalization, population growth, social conflicts and climate change increase the strain on land and forest resources, and require a cost effective and ecologically sound production of goods and services to meet public needs. Based on global assessment data, four country level (Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, Sweden) and six local case studies and using a multi-scale approach, this paper examines trends and drivers in household based plantation forestry and reviews how policies affecting forest plantation and land use are interpreted and implemented at the local level. It discusses how sustainable forestry systems and policies can be developed which provide industrial supplies, promote environmental objectives and support the livelihoods of people. Besides reflecting characteristics and diversity of current trends in plantation forestry, the paper illustrates that local landscape studies could help in explaining trends revealed by national inventories in a way relevant to policy and research.