Volunteers planted over 1300 trees during National Tree Week (26 November to 04 December 2022) to help a new mini forest take root near Petersfield. Members of Adhurst Estate Allotment Association, The Tree Council’s Jubilee Partners and the local community helped to make the event such a success. Further planting in the following weeks was supported by corporate partners such as Network Rail through their community tree planting fund coordinated by The Tree Council, The Petersfield School and volunteers from Petersfield Community Garden.
Trees were planted using the innovative Miyawaki method, which helps forests grow up to ten times faster than normal. The technique involves densely planting native woodland plants in an area of carefully prepared soil, usually about the size of a tennis court. It’s particularly beneficial for the environment in urban and semi-urban areas where there’s a lack of space for larger woodlands. In just a few short years Petersfield will have a new thriving mini forest, with this project providing a blueprint for another four small forests across Hampshire.
The forest is part of a wider project to encourage populations of dormice at the site by improving habitat diversity and tree cover. Many of the tree species planted were chosen to encourage dormice and provide the right habitat for breeding. The Tree Council is aiming to install innovative technology to monitor improvements to biodiversity. The forest will also feature a seated area, so visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of the new woodland.
If you have any suggestions for locations of additional mini forests, let us know on Facebook or Instagram. Or, if you have any land suitable for tree planting visit our get involved page to find out how you can help.