Mini Forests

Initiated 2024

Proposed in our 2024 Community Biodiversity Action Plan this is an innovative approach to urban greening and biodiversity restoration

Our Proposal

To plant a series of fast-growing mini urban forests to boost biodiversity, create wildlife habitats and corridors, absorb carbon and freshen the air with oxygen, manage the groundwater, bind the soil, improve rainwater drainage, provide cooling summer shade and soil warming winter leaf mould, provide privacy and screening from the wind & traffic noise, reduce residents' lawn maintenance costs, and add aesthetic and recreational value to Johnstown.

Modeled on the Miyawaki method, Mini Forests are quick-growing, densely planted, small urban forests.

Typically only the size of a tennis court, 200 sqm, they create habitats for wildlife, improve air quality, and promote environmental awareness within urban areas.

Using native plant and shrub species, and accelerating growth, these miniature forests require minimal maintenance and reach maturity in a fraction of the time of traditional forests.

These forests could become self-sustaining, maintenance & cost-FREE in only 3 years.

Ireland example

UK example

Easytreesie.com produced a good scientific critique of the process.

Read Report

Tree Benefits

Planting trees offers a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits.

1. Combat Climate Change:

Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

2. Improve Air Quality:

Trees filter pollutants from the air, including sulfur dioxide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxides, improving overall air quality.

3. Increase Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitats:

Trees provide shelter and food for various species, helping to maintain biodiversity and ecosystems.

4. Reduce Soil Erosion:

Tree roots help to anchor the soil, preventing erosion and protecting waterways from sedimentation.

5. Water Regulation:

Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle, absorbing and releasing water through transpiration, which can help manage flood risks and maintain local water supplies.

6. Enhance Mental and Physical Health:

Green spaces, including forests and parks, have been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote physical activity.

7. Economic Benefits:

Trees can contribute to local economies by supporting industries such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism, and by increasing property values in urban areas.

8. Aesthetic and Recreational Value:

Trees contribute to the beauty of landscapes, providing opportunities for recreation and improving quality of life.

Previous Planting

We have increased the tree count locally but the growing methods are prolonged and don't provide for biodiversity until they mature:

Initiated in 2019 we began planting trees, provided annually by Meath County Council, along Metges Road to help recreate a tree-lined avenue and also provide screening to estates from the increasing road traffic.

Initiated in 2021, by the Wild About Navan group, we now host 3 Dispersed Urban Orchards to help reverse a decades-long trend and reintroduce fruit trees in public spaces.

Individual Estates have been planting clusters of trees on estate lawns.

The Johnstown estate developers have planted many trees but only in stretches of single-species along roads, isolated trees on lawns, and infrequent clusters within larger lawns. The earliest estate trees were planted in the late 90s and there are a few older trees, perhaps 100 years old, around the Johnstown School Campus.

Wild Woods

Individual trees offer some environmental and social benefits but they pale in significance compared to large mature woodlands that offer better opportunities for biodiversity, and we host two areas:

River Boyne

Accessible via rough tracks Johnstown has a 2km long stretch of natural native woodland at the Athlumney Riverside. Part of a protected Site of Special Interest our Community Biodiversity Action Plan 2024 pays special attention to it.

Sections of mature woodland sit alongside newer self-seeded areas and open grassland of the flood plain.

2. Metges Road

A natural min forest self-seeded thirty years ago opposite the Peoples Park. The 10,000 sqm strip runs alongside the IDA and follows the historic boundary hedge of Metges Road. Had the area been planted using the Miyawaki method the area would host 30 - 50 thousand trees.

This area is private land and has frequently been at risk of demolition to make way for apartment blocks or supermarket development.

Imagine creating a NEW 100-year-old mature forest in just 10 or 20 years!

Where To Plant?

We will begin talking with residents and local groups.

Our sights are set on some of the huge estate grass lawns. These areas are currently considered a burden to those residents who contribute to the cost of grass-cutting. Mini forests can quickly become both maintenance and cost-free, and contribute to our green neighbourhood image.

Johnstown hosts approximately 267,000 sqm of public grass lawns (not including verges). This is nearly the equivalent area of every household having an extra 10m by 10m front garden extension, or the neighbourhood hosting more than 20 soccer pitches!

Public Lawns, 2022.

We have not included the IDA land that is farmed for grass.

Trees can provide a boundary edge, create features that enhance the existing space, frame views, shield us from winds, provide noise barriers, and add privacy. These pockets of woodland are small and dense. Consider them like planting beds for tall trees but unlike natural forests, there will be no paths between trees.

Project Plan

Gleaned from the experiences of other groups the following information will help shape our project site plans.

Step 1: Identify Locations

Early community support and local engagement are vital to reducing negativity and gaining volunteers.
Locations should connect like stepping stones to create wildlife corridors.
Safeguard from future disturbance by avoiding areas with underground pipes, cables, and services.
Avoid areas with overhead street lighting, telegraph cables, and proximity to nearby buildings.
Avoid roadside and pavement areas to avoid issues with fallen autumn leaves.
Large estate lawns provide ample potential locations and many will receive shielding from road traffic noise and pollution.

Step 2: Site Design

The curbside appeal of these forests to residents and visitors is crucial to their success and must be seen as positive additions to the neighbourhood.
These pocket woodlands are very dense and you can't easily walk through them. This is great for making barriers that perform like hedges and the planting area is small enough to walk around them.
The trees will initially quickly grow with a low failure rate. However, after a decade of competing, there will be a high mortality rate as dominant species compete for space.
The trees, shrubs, and even the buffer zone plants/grasses will create the forest's seasonal appearance, maintenance requirements, and uses by wildlife, birds, bugs, fungi, etc.
Forests contain vertical layers and the plant species chosen should fulfill these requirements. There is an opportunity to 'design' the appearance whilst remaining practical. Potential fruit forest?
Opportunity for seating areas, classroom spaces, paths through, and places to view and experience the woodland?
Will the forests connect to neighbouring green spaces via summer meadows or require additional low-level planting?
Are there opportunities to provide for future additions such as sculpture trails or sensory features?

Step 3: Source Materials

Soil

Johnstown has heavy compacted clay soil with slow drainage.
The Grow Shop could sponsor amendments and soil tests

Trees

www.reforestnation.ie offers 1000+ native trees.
www.treesforcommunities.ie offers 50 free tree mixes of Native Irish Alder, Oak, Birch, and Hazel.
www.freetrees.ie offers free native tree mixes from potentially 26 species to individuals.
Meath Council Council annually offers 50 tree mixes of Alder, Holly, Geulder Rose, Silver Birch, and Mountain Ash.
Wild About Navan can offer support in sourcing native local species trees and shrubs.

Fencing - 3 year lifespan

TUS can provide a construction team.
Natural branch weaving or wire fences?

Mulch

Smiths SuperValu could provide cardboard.
The community schools could collect and provide newspapers.
Local horse stables could provide manure.
Meath Council Council could source and provide mulch
Local tree surgeons could provide wood chippings

Step 4: Site Preparation

Perform Soil Test
The soil should not be dug over unless drainage is a major issue.
The year before planting the site should be prepared by layering mulch, manure, and weed suppression cardboard.
Low-level fencing should be erected to keep pets and people off the area.
Signage and information panels should be erected to reduce negativity while the site establishes itself.

Step 5: Planting

Planting is labor-intensive therefore involve schools, residents, and environmental groups.
3 to 5 trees/shrubs per sqm (600 plants per 200 sqm plot) based on colour, fruit, flower, evergreen or deciduous.

Step 6: Maintenance

Record growth progress.
Add biological enhancements and mulch.
Suppress grasses and weeds by pressing down.

Potential Costs

Using a small tennis court as the most basic example with 200sqm (20m x 10m) will require approx €2000 without grants, sponsorship, free tree donations :

Cardboard sheeting
Newspaper
Manure
Mulch woodchip €100 per m3 = €1,000 (10 bags for 5cm deep)
Leaf Mould
600 to 1000 plants to include main tree species, sub-species, shrubs, and ground-covering herbs at approx €1 per plant = €600 to €1000
Information Panel
Signage
60 linear metre perimeter picket fence at approx €2 per meter = €120