Urban Micro-Forest

An urban micro-forest aims to recreate quickly a small forest ecosystem in an urban or peri-urban environment, generally on a small plot. This type of project offers multiple ecological and social advantages to the city and its inhabitants.

Here are our tips to guide you in your planting project:

1. Analysis of the implantation site

Before planting, it is essential to analyse and understand your site :

• Available space : Make sure that the planting project is adapted to urban constraints (networks, main streets, uses, etc.)
• Type of soil : Clay, sand, or loamy? This determines water retention and nutrients availability.
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial-shade, or full-shade? Adapt your plant choice but be aware that most forest trees like full sun or partial-shade exposure.
• Moisture: Dry soil or moist soil? Organise a water source nearby for initial watering.
• Wind exposure: Highly exposed areas will need hardier species.

2. Soil preparation

This is necessary for any planned plantation.

• Preparing the soil: Before planting, enrich your soil with organic matter, compost, or well-rotted manure, to recreate a humus rich layer.
• Mulching: A thick layer of mulching (15-20 cm) made of straw, wood chips or ramial chipped wood is necessary during the first years. This will retain moisture, protect the roots, enrich the soil and limit weeding.

3. Plantation

The choice of species is crucial to create a resilient ecosystem in an urban environment. As for a traditional forest, a micro-forest is composed of several layers of plants that work together :

• Canopy trees: These are the tallest trees, forming the canopy and providing shade.
• Sub-canopy trees: Smaller trees, they grow beneath the main ones and fill the empty spaces.
• Shrubs and bushes: They form the bush layer and offer habitat ; they often produce the first fruits.
• Ground cover plants: They cover and protect the soil, retain moisture and create biodiversity.

4. Maintenance and Monitoring

• Watering : The first 3 years are crucial. Water regularly, especially during dry weather. Once established, the micro-forest will no longer need watering.
• Weeding: In the first 2 years, make sure that young trees are not smothered by weeds.
• Monitoring: Enjoy the growth! It is impressive to see how fast a micro-forest can develop.

5. Benefits of a micro-forest

• Biodiversity: The micro-forest becomes a haven for several animal species such as birds, insects and small mammals.
• Improvement of air quality: Trees absorb CO2 and pollutants.
• Reduction of urban ‘Heat islands’: Urban forests locally cool the air.
• Water management: Forest soil retains rainwater more effectively.
• Social connection: A micro-forest can be a great community project, bringing the inhabitants together around a green initiative.

Find our selection of plants to create your urban micro-forest :
Catalogue of Plants for an urban micro-forest