Tiny Forest: How mini-forests make cities greener and more livable

Trees in cities are extremely valuable: They clean the air of pollutants.They create habitats for animals and plants, increase the quality of life and provide shade. Accordingly, there are many good reasons to plant more trees in our towns and villages. The problem is that there is hardly any free space for this, especially in cities.

This is why we find Tiny Forests so interesting: A Tiny Forest is a densely planted forest grown on small plots of land – often barely larger than a tennis court. This means a forest can be planted on larger traffic islands, fallow land, or in parks, for example. Pretty cool, right? 

What is a Tiny Forest?

A tiny forest – also called a mini-forest or Miyawaki forest – is a densely planted forest on a small area. It usually covers between 100 and 400 square meters and consists of site-appropriate, preferably native, tree and shrub species.

The high planting density creates a closed forest ecosystem within just a few years. While traditional reforestation often takes many decades, a Tiny Forest develops relatively quickly into a diverse habitat. Suitable locations include:

• larger traffic islands
• brownfield sites
• Parks
• schoolyards
• Company premises
• residential areas
• larger private gardens

The Miyawaki method

The idea originates with the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. In the 1970s, he developed a method that allows natural forests to develop particularly quickly in small areas. The principle is simple:

• Use of exclusively site-appropriate species
  
• high biodiversity
• very dense planting
  
• careful soil preparation
• Abstaining from chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Initially, about three young trees are usually planted per square meter. This creates competition for light and space. The plants grow taller more quickly and together form a dense canopy. After a few years, the forest begins to largely regulate itself. Weaker plants die off, while stronger trees prevail – much like in a natural forest.

In a Tiny Forest, every tree and shrub species contributes to the ecosystem: some species ensure rapid humus formation through their nutrient-rich foliage, others retain moisture, and still others protect the trees from pests. Even shortly after planting, the forest provides a habitat for numerous animals. 

Why are Tiny Forests so interesting?

Miniature forests combine many ecological functions in a small area. Their most important advantages include:

• Improving the urban climate
• Cooling through evaporation and shading
  
• Rainwater storage (see the article on Sponge City)
  
• Promoting biodiversity 
  
• Carbon bonding
• Filtering of fine dust
• Noise reduction
• attractive places for people to stay

A forest as a community project

Many Tiny Forests are created in collaboration with local people: school classes, kindergartens, neighborhoods, clubs, or companies plant the trees together and often take over their care during the first few years. This allows children to experience how a forest grows and develop an early relationship with nature.

Tiny Forests in Europe

In recent years, the idea has spread worldwide. The Netherlands, in particular, is considered a pioneer and has already created several hundred Tiny Forests. Mini-forests are also increasingly being established in Germany, often on the initiative of municipalities, environmental associations, schools, or committed citizens. In Germany, [organization name] is particularly active in this area. MIYA forest eV for Tiny Forests and supports the establishment of new mini-forests.