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

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

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

Read Report

Existing Woodlands

Individual trees offer some environmental and social benefits, but they pale in significance compared to large mature woodlands that provide 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.

New Areas ?

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 mature forests, these will initially not have any footpaths between the trees.