Micro-forests!

Is the micro-forest hype just a trend, or do these tiny forests outweigh the benefits of traditional urban planting techniques? As micro-forests grow in popularity throughout urban spaces, they have proven to be more promising than previously thought. Micro-forests are unlike conventional tree plantings in urban spaces, which are often sparse and isolated. These forests are densely planted small plots with a large variety of native species, delivering the impact of a true forest for only a fraction of the space. 

The origin of a microforests design comes from the Miyawaki method, a Japanese technique that combines dense plantings of trees, shrubs, and ground cover to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Comparatively, conventional urban tree plantings often involve single, isolated trees that are planted in small spaces, limiting their ecological power. Unlike micro-forests, these trees planted alone offer fewer benefits relative to air quality, water absorption, and overall biodiversity. 

In contrast, micro-forests replicate the natural complexity of true forests by layering plants closely together. This environment establishes an ecosystem that, over time, allows different species to thrive by offering support to one another, growing faster, and establishing greater resilience than conventional isolated trees. Within just a few years, a micro-forest can transform into a lush, biodiverse urban green space that helps with storm water management, urban heat, and carbon sequestration.

In New York City, green spaces are highly valued, and micro-forests are a great way of maximizing environmental and social benefits within an urban space. Communities have the opportunity to enjoy an inviting green space – one that is trendy, but worth the hype!