The eighth microforest established in Gdańsk. What to know about the Miyawaki method

Last weekend, residents of Gdańsk planted 600 seedlings of trees, shrubs, and species typical of forest undergrowth. Within a dozen or so years, they will grow into a microforest – the eighth one in the city. The initiative, based on the Japanese Miyawaki method, is gaining immense popularity worldwide.

A microforest in Kokoszki – not the first and not the last

The tree-planting event brought together residents of the Kokoszki district and the mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz. Most participants were immediate neighbors of the new microforest. The soil was enriched beforehand with compost produced from biowaste collected in the city, which further enhances the ecological value of the project and proves that waste segregation brings tangible benefits in the form of greener urban streets. It’s a true circular economy on a city scale, said Sławomir Kiszkurno, president of the Gdańsk Waste Disposal Plant.

On an area of just 200 m², about 30 native species were planted, including beeches, oaks, birches, pines, and wild apple trees. Other Gdańsk microforests – now totaling eight – also feature the Swedish whitebeam, a species typical of northern Poland.

We plant up to three plants per square meter, in total more than 35 species, which creates rich biogroups. Over time, these places become true refuges of nature – frogs, hedgehogs, and birds appear. It’s a living example of how a small space can make a big difference for the environment, explains Kasper Jakubowski, designer of Gdańsk’s microforests.

By the end of the year, the city authorities plan to plant another 6,500 trees and shrubs as part of public planting events open to all Gdańsk residents. At the end of October, school students will plant 3,000 oaks in the Matarnia district.

What is the Miyawaki method?

In recent years, microforests have been springing up like mushrooms after rain in many cities across the UK, the Netherlands, as well as India and Japan. The idea itself is not new – the method was developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Today, urban planners praise it as the fastest way to create a forest on a small, degraded area within a city or industrial zone.

How does it work? A microforest is, by design, small – covering up to a few hundred square meters. The land is prepared by enriching the soil with organic matter and setting up irrigation infrastructure. Then, in high density, native species of trees, shrubs, and perennials are planted, mimicking the typical multi-layered structure of a forest.

During the first years, the microforest requires care – from watering to weeding and supporting young trees with stakes. Thanks to these favorable conditions and dense planting, which forces the plants to compete for light, the forest grows very quickly and becomes fully self-sustaining after just a few years.

An urban antidote to climate change

Supporters of the Miyawaki method believe that microforests are an effective tool for strengthening cities’ climate resilience. As green islands in concreted urban spaces, they help retain water, support local biodiversity, and improve air quality, while also reducing temperatures during heatwaves. Although dense microforests are not suitable for walking and are often fenced off, their green walls provide a refreshing addition to the urban landscape.

Dr. Grey Coupland, an ecologist from the University of Perth in Australia, explains that a microforest can be very small – as little as the size of a few parking spaces. The densely packed plants grow rapidly, and the ecosystem reaches maturity after just 10–20 years, instead of 100–150 as in traditional forests. Dr. Coupland promotes creating microforests behind schools and community centers, emphasizing that involving young people in the process is the best lesson about climate and the environment.

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main photo: courtesy of Afforestt; afforestt.com