College’s Tree Planting Scheme Includes Surrey’s First Miyawaki Forest

Published on: 16 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 22 Aug, 2024

Working in collaboration with Surrey County Council’s tree planting and establishment team, Merrist Wood College in Worplesdon is participating in two on-campus projects to support a three-year woodland creation initiative establishing a fast growing Japanese Miyawaki mini forest.

Clearing the ground for the Miyawaki forest.

Arboriculture, countryside, horticulture and landscape students at the college have spent the past few months navigating some challenging weather conditions to successfully plant native trees for the woodland creation project, as well as creating a Miyawaki forest within the college grounds.

Students building a perimeter fence around the area of the planned Miyawaki forest.

Nearly 3,000 native trees and shrubs have been provided to the college by Surrey County Council to support its climate change goal.

Traditional woodland planting.

Woodland area tree planting.

The traditional woodland planting saw the first 250 trees, including oak, rowan, holly and hawthorn, planted by the college’s Level 2 and 3 arboriculture, countryside, horticulture and landscape students, marking the beginning of a nurturing process over the next few years.

Miyawaki Forest horticulture students planting 2,300 saplings on the site in April.

The college says the plan to plant 250 native trees in 2025 and a further 250 in 2026 will benefit successive student cohorts, maximising their learning opportunities and experience.

Miyawaki Forest student planting one of 2,300 saplings.

The college’s group director Joanne Manser said: “Not only does this initiative contribute significantly to combating climate change, but it also provides our students with invaluable hands-on experience and practical knowledge in arboriculture, conservation, and sustainable practices.”

Miyawaki Forest saplings in the sunshine.

Students have also been instrumental in establishing a Miyawaki forest, a collection of more than 2,300 trees including sweet chestnut, hazel, hawthorn, holly and dog rose among the native trees and shrubs planted, it being the only example of its kind in Surrey.

The team involved in the project.

A Miyawaki Forest is a dense, native forest created using a method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki and involves planting a variety of native species close together, fostering rapid growth, robust structure and biodiversity. The forests are designed to mimic natural ecosystems, growing up to 10 times faster than conventional reforestation efforts.

The college adds they need very little upkeep after the first growth phase and greatly help in absorbing carbon dioxide, improving soil quality, and cooling down city areas.