Can stumps tell what people want: Pattern and preference of informal wood extraction in an urban forest of Nairobi, Kenya

► We measured stumps to reveal spatial pattern and preference of informal wood use. ► Probability of cutting increased near settlement and fence and for smaller stems. ► Patrolling reduced size of cut stems but not probability of cutting. ► Exotic timber species are preferred while spiny and succulent species are avoided. ► Detailed resource preference forecasts vegetation change and benefits management.