Mini Forests
Mini Forests can be a very low maintenance landscaping option by:
- planting densely with appropriate native species
- preparing and enriching the soil
- applying a thick layer of natural mulch and,
- stewarding the forest for the first 3 growing seasons
Compared to traditional landscaping and restoration approaches, mini forests also have higher plant survival rates and less watering needs.
Our team is passionate about sharing this technique with the community and building the network of mini forests in the Pacific Northwest!
Deep roots, low maintenance, high biodiversity.
A mini forest is a small version of the indigenous forests that grows naturally in the area. We often think of forests as covering large areas. But in fact, mini forests can been extremely beneficial to the environment and communities. We use native plant species with mulch and soil amendments custom for our region. Our forests are built with the Miyawaki technique to create fast growing, diverse ecosystems that are self sustaining after 3 years. There’s a reason these forests are so trendy!
Akira Miyawaki was a Japanese botanist who developed what is now known as the ‘Miyawaki’ technique for forest restoration. He discovered that rapid forest growth could be obtained in small areas (and large!) following a few core principals. His method includes: preparing the sites soil with nutrient rich amendments and deep aeration, selecting appropriate native climax forest plant species, planting densely and applying thick mulch.
Once established (about 3 years), these landscapes are extremely low maintenance compared to traditional landscaping. Less weeding, less water, less plant replacement.
For development properties, mini forests help to mitigate the impacts of construction and create a positive environmental feature. They block noise and wind, reduce temperatures of hard surfaces, and add beautification.
In public spaces, mini forests become community landmarks that showcase the regions natural flora and fauna, and offer natural play and gathering areas. On private properties, mini forests beautify our everyday environment, while creating privacy and noise reduction.
The environmental benefits are substantial: increased habitat for birds, pollinators and wildlife, increased native species biodiversity, carbon sequestration, storm water retention and groundwater recharge, reduced urban heat effect, and many more.
The cost of a mini forest varies from property to property. Factors affecting the price are: size of the forest, existing soil/site conditions, and access to the area to be planted. Don’t hesitate to reach out to get an estimate for your specific project.
Mini forests can be built on as little as 5 sq. meters. Even at this size, they grow into thriving PNW forest ecosystems. However, the ideal size is about 200 – 400 sq. meters. This is when we start to see shaded and protected forest interiors, with a range of microclimates, wildlife habitat and maximum plant species diversity.
We would be happy to meet with you to discuss if you property is a good fit. Some key factors that make an area NOT a good fit for a mini forest are:
- Areas with underground infrastructure (pipes, gas lines, etc.)
- Areas over septic fields
- Areas that are not ecologically appropriate as forests (i.e. Garry oak meadow sites) *we can help to determine this!
