MICRO FORESTS for change case studies

"Micro Forests For Change were enthusiastic about this complicated commission and fulfilled the contract to a very high standard. Tim not only worked with us to ensure cost efficiency and the best outcomes, but he also assisted with public engagement which goes over and above what is usually expected" Louise Butfoy, Kent County Council. 

Plumpton college supplemented existing tree planting with new trees to create a Miyawaki inspired micro forest as part of a range of wildlife habitats. Over 1,000 trees were planted in total with the help of the college's students. The area was mulched with waste product from the college's Equine department and we also used the project to research the impact of different types and levels of rabbit guards. 

The Gatland Park micro forest is part of the DEFRA funded Trees Outside Woodland research project. Four areas were planted and each has a different combination of soil preparation, planting density and mulching. Two the areas were excavated to a depth of 1m and the soil then replaced after aeration. The whole area is 30m x 15m and enclosed within a chestnut paling fence. 400 trees and shrubs were planted in total.

Wellington meadow in Surrey uses 200 carefully selected native species to create a dense wide hedge to provide a new habitat for wildlife and to protect the existing grassland habitat from the bordering A246. The hedge was planted using three alternate rows and biochar and mycorrhizal supplement added. Planting was run as a community activity to increase support from local residents. 

The end of Hadlow Road in Maidstone was the site of an old hedgerow that had been lost to building and fence works. This made it the ideal site to plant a replacement hedge. The 40m hedge is split into two sections with one using the full Miyawaki technique, including hand excavating to a depth of 50cm. Growth and survival rates of the traditional and Miyawaki sections will be compared to inform future best practice. 

Garlinge Recreation Ground near Margate includes 560 trees planted in five different pizza slice shaped plots within a 26m diameter circle enclosed by a paling fence. Each plot uses a different degrees of the Miyawaki technique. Plot 5 (pictured) uses every Miyawaki element - the soil was excavated to 1m, organic material added, mycorrhizal supplement used, native trees densely planted and then fully mulched with woodland mulch. 

Dane Valley Park in Margate is another site under the Trees Outside Woodland project umbrella. Dane Valley Park was originally a refuse dump and the Council and community has worked hard to transform it to a nature friendly park. Community volunteers helped plant 400 native trees and shrubs to complete the project. 

A family wanted to transform the end of their garden to a low maintenance wildlife friendly area while retaining access to an existing pond and log pile. The micro forest contains roughly 200 native trees and shrubs and wraps round the pond. Cane toppers are used as an additional safety feature for young children. 

"Working with Micro Forests For Change has been a real pleasure. Communication was clear, consistent and always with a constructive problem solving approach. Tim demonstrated strong ecological knowledge and practical skill. He engaged confidently with a wide range of people and led two fantastic volunteer days" Arthur Stokhuyzen, Spelthorne Borough Council.

Chillington Street in Maidstone borders a small grass area that is sandwiched between residential streets and an allotment. Originally a brick yard the site has poor soil quality. Over 800 trees were planted in a small circular micro forest and a hedgerow. The project also includes soil testing with Nature Metrics to track the impact of the new trees on the soil health over time. 

Foley Park includes a triangular micro forest, a hedgerow and a triangular food forest, all designed to accommodate the existing play area and football goal. The food forest also features a separate herb garden that allows the local community to pick and use free fresh herbs. 

I Worked with Spelthorne Council and local volunteers to prepare and plant a 1,250 tree micro forest in Littleton Park as part of Spelthorne's tree planting targets. The project was funded by the Tree Council and I worked along Spelthorne to submit the grant application and to document the stages of the project for the post delivery reporting. 

Mangravet Recreation Ground features a 1,050 tree micro forest that sits along side a community food forest. Half the micro forest was planted with bare root trees and the other half with cell grown trees. The survival and growth rates of the two halves will be monitored in order to inform best practice moving forward. 

Hengrove Recreation Ground hosts a 1,250 tree micro forest using over 30 native species. The site provided access challenges as the forest is located in the far corner of the park away from any hard standing areas, but a community volunteering day might light work of the planting and mulching! 

Midley Close includes a hedgerow, a community food forest and a 770 tree micro forest with the aim of increasing biodiversity in the park. The micro forest is situated on top of a ridge and close to residential housing. Because of this, I used smaller hedgerow species so that residents weren't shaded by large trees when they matured.