At the June Meeting of the Tweed and District Horticultural Society, Lise Bois and Gerry Jenkison shared their experiences creating Miyawaki forests in Prince Edward County. Originating in Japan, this method restores natural vegetation in a dense mulit-layered manner to create a mini forest. There are tens of thousands of these mini forests in approximately 50 countries around the world.
What is a mini forest? It is densely planted trees and shrubs that are native to the area. Often the forest floor needs to be amended to mime a natural forest…cardboard, leaves, topsoil, mulch. One member at the meeting pointed out the importance of using Canadian cardboard as often imported cardboard has been sprayed with chemicals. A technique known as “layered “planting is used…smaller trees and shrubs around the perimeter and the larger trees in the centre provide the canopy. This type of forest has been proven to grow ten times faster than a regular forest and quickly develops a habitat for wildlife.
Like all projects, these mini forests initially do require work a great deal of work…building up the forest bed, selecting the trees, planting the trees and ongoing weeding and watering. Problems arise from drought, excessive weeds, hungry wildlife and long cold winters.
These mini forests are practical for small spaces as it is easer to initially build and maintain over time. It is important to include “keystone” trees such as oak, cherry and plants such a golden rod that will attract pollinators.
This presentation certainly gave members another possible project for their gardens in the future!
LOOKING AHEAD….
June 10, 11, 12…Tweed Fair
August 4…Pot Luck Dinner at 6pm. Location to be confirmed.
September 1…Karen Broadhurst will address climate change predications in our region. She will discuss strategies to prepare for these impacts.