Industrial timber plantations are controversial in many parts of the world, including in Indonesia. Knowledge of their perceived impacts among local populations is important for better management and integration of plantations in the rural landscape. To advance knowledge on this topic, we used the Q-method in a case study in East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, where a large-scale acacia plantation is established. Three groups emerge from the analysis, with contrasting viewpoints: a first group exhibits enthusiasm over the development of the plantation, including recognition of environmental services provided; the two other groups express dissatisfaction, either generally on all aspects or with a focus on the plantation as an obstacle to local development. Research has shown that the Q-method needs to be complemented by other tools such as household surveys to compensate for its limitations (e.g. lack of representativeness in all groups and lack of information on the determinants of inclusion in a given group).