SOW NATIVE SEEDS IN WINTER

Pocket Forests

Photo by Dr. Nick Geron and Donovan Landry

CREATING POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY MICROHABITAT

The power of pocket forests

A pocket forest is a small, dense planting of native trees, shrubs, and understory plants designed to mimic the structure of a natural forest. Though compact in size, pocket forests (also called micro forests and Miyawaki forests) deliver significant ecological benefits. Many are no larger than a tennis court or even as small as a single parking space, yet the plants grow quickly and create more biodiverse habitat for pollinators and other wildlife than traditional tree plantings.

Pocket forests are planted using bare root tree saplings and small native shrubs, rather than large, balled-and-burlap or container-grown trees used in conventional landscapes. These smaller plants are more affordable and can be planted easily by children and volunteers. Pocket forests establish quickly, require minimal long-term maintenance and provide valuable environmental benefits and educational opportunities.

PILOT PROJECT

Granville Land Lab Pocket Forest

In the spring of 2025, Mrs. Kerri Wyant’s 6th grade science class at Granville Intermediate School planned, designed and planted a pocket forest as part of the community’s Arbor Day celebration. Working in small groups, students researched specific native trees and shrubs and later presented to their classmates about the ecological importance of these species in supporting pollinators and other wildlife.

Their preparation included a virtual visit with Basil Camu, master arborist and author of Wasteland to Wonder, whose work inspired their creation of the pocket forest.

In March, the class prepared the small 20 x 20' planting site by layering cardboard, compost and wood chips supplied by the Granville Service Department.

In April, each student planted one or more native saplings into the prepared plot along with a flag noting the tree species and who planted it. With support from Pollinator Pathway, the class planted a total of 29 trees and shrubs, including: black gum, chinkapin oak, pawpaw, spicebush, red osier dogwood, arrowwood viburnum and chokeberry.

At the Village of Granville's Arbor Day event, representatives from the class presented their project to the Granville Tree & Landscape Commission and the entire fifth grade, encouraging them to expand the planting in the future. The project blended science education and civic engagement and placed students at the center of planning and implementation.

Video produced by Mrs. Kerri Wyant

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

How to create a pocket forest

Mrs. Wyant's science class met virtually with Basil Camu, author of Wasteland to Wonder to learn about pocket forests. In small groups, students then researched & presented on native tree & shrub species they would be planting.

STEP ONE
Learn & research

Learn more about pocket forests and how to plant them. Research trees and shrubs native to Ohio and your local ecoregion. Focus on species that support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, and that are well adapted to local soil and climate conditions. (See resources section below for comprehensive list of articles & videos).

Students measure out a grassy area (~17 x 11') just west of the goat pasture for the pocket forest which will provide wildlife habitat and serve as a natural windbreak for animals at the Granville Land Lab.

STEP TWO
Plan your pocket forest

Secure a planting location & measure your space. Plan to plant densely and in multiple layers (canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, and groundcover) to mimic natural forest growth, increase biodiversity, and reduce long-term maintenance. Divide the square footage by four, and that will be the approximate number of saplings you need to plant (approximately 25 saplings per 100 square feet, each planted approximately 2-3 feet apart). Order saplings from Licking Soil & Water Conservation District or buy small trees from local native plant nurseries.

To prepare the planting site, students layer sheets of cardboard, and add compost and leaf litter before spreading wood chips provided by the Village of Granville Service Department.

STEP THREE
Prepare the site

2+ months before planting:

Remove any existing vegetation that isn't grass.
Lay down a layer of cardboard over the grass, overlapping the seams.
Add water to the cardboard (to encourage decomposition).
Layer on 1" of compost and/or leaf mold (if available)
Add 6" layer of arborist wood chips.

Allow site to settle & begin decomposition process prior to planting.

Students plant bare root tree and shrub saplings. Flags marked the planting location and indicated the species and the students' names who planted them.

STEP FOUR
Plant saplings

Gather tools and materials including shovels, gloves, flags, tags and watering containers. To plant small, bare root tree saplings, do not excavate the soil. Instead, drive a shovel or spade into the ground and rock it side to side and back and forth to create a wedge or slit opening. Be sure to point all the roots down (don't let them curve) and then cover it up. Firm the soil to prevent air pockets and water deeply. Add flag and tag to easily identify planting.

VIDEO: How to plant saplings.

6th graders carrying bucket to water pocket forest

Students carry water to the pocket forest they planted at the Granville Intermediate School Land Lab.

STEP FIVE
Maintain & monitor

Add fencing around the pocket forest to protect planting from deer. Water saplings after initial establishment and during drought. Regular watering of saplings may not be practical (given distance to spigot) or necessary (unlike containerized trees, bare root saplings need very little supplemental watering). Weed the pocket forest at least once a season to keep out ecologically harmful invasive plants.

Students examine tree saplings planted in the Granville Land Lab pocket forest.

STEP SIX
Observe & study

Use the pocket forest as an outdoor classroom. Students & community members are encouraged to observe plant growth, identify pollinators and wildlife, and document growth and changes over time through photos, drawings, journals, iNaturalist observations or other data collection.