Instead of One Tree, Plant a “pocket Forest”
If you’re considering adding a tree to your landscape, whether you want to provide shade, provide habitat for animals, or just for beauty, there’s a better alternative that you may not have considered. Instead of just one, why not plant several trees close together? A pocket forest like this can increase your yard’s biodiversity, control water runoff, and cool the surrounding landscape. Here’s how they work and how to plant them.
What is a pocket forest?
A pocket forest is a densely planted mini-forest consisting of several native tree species. The purpose of this compact forest is to add dense plants to your yard to provide shade, animal habitat, and erosion control. (If you don’t have room for trees, you can grow a thicket or densely planted group of native shrubs.)
Mini forests are also beautiful to look at and can enhance the look and enjoyment of your yard without the intensive maintenance required for a lawn. While the initial investment in a pocket forest may cost more than just a lawn, it can save you money and time on maintenance while using less water.
How much space do you need for a pocket forest?
A pocket forest can be planted in as little as 200 square feet, and while common sense says that trees can damage nearby structures, this is not always the case and depends on the tree species and growing conditions. With little pruning, you can safely plant a variety of species relatively close to buildings as long as the trees are properly cared for.
How to choose trees for a pocket forest
To plant a pocket forest, you will need enough annual and biennial native tree and shrub seedlings to cover the area, leaving two to four feet of space between each specimen. If you plan to plant near a building, be sure to choose seedlings that do not have invasive root systems.
To determine which plants are native to your region, you can consult your local university. Your municipal government may also have lists of trees native to your area and can recommend trees that are less likely to cause damage if you plan to plant them near a building.
When to Plant a Pocket Forest
Planting should be done during the dormant season in your area to allow the plants to become established. Dormancy occurs at different times of the year and is dependent on seasonal temperatures and rainfall in your area, so consider this another opportunity to check with your local university for information specific to your climate.
If it’s not dormant season, luckily there are some things you can do to prepare, such as removing existing plants and planning the space.
Pocket forest planting schedule
Four months before landing
Choose a location and measure it to plan how many seedlings you will need. Plants should be spaced two to four feet apart so that you can estimate the spacing between plants based on this. At this point, it’s a good idea to contact your local nursery to let them know in advance how many plants you’ll need and to make sure they have them in stock. At this point, you can also begin removing any existing plants from your chosen area to create optimal conditions for future plantings.
Three months before landing
Three months before planting, you should use the “lasagna method” to prepare the soil for the seedlings and kill any remaining plants. To do this, lay a layer of cardboard over the entire area, and then a layer of sheet compost or leaf humus. Cover the compost with two to three inches of wood chips.
One month before landing
It’s time to collect the plants. Select native plants that are suitable for your region based on their root size and sun requirements. Since you will likely have a fairly large order, it is a good idea to receive your plants a little early.
Landing
Lay out the plants and space them so they are two to four feet apart to manage spacing, then dig holes and plant the seedlings. Although small seedlings only require a shovel-sized hole, you can still save some time by arranging the plants in containers ahead of time to avoid running out of space during planting.
After landing
Once your seedlings are in the ground, be sure to mark them with a survey stake or other easily recognizable marker for future identification and weed removal. This will help avoid confusing the seedling with a weed. You can also add some compost to the soil surface or use compost tea to improve the soil and give new trees a boost.
You should structurally prune your seedlings as they grow, removing less healthy, lower branches and branches that cannot support their own weight. Otherwise, your trees may grow on their own. You can choose to take a hands-off approach to watering a growing pocket forest, knowing that some of your seedlings may die, or you can improve their chances by watering them during the first two or three seasons they are in the ground. You do not need to water native trees after they are established (that is, after the first three years).