New case study shares local authority’s method of pioneering Miyawaki-style tree planting project in Kent as part of the Trees Outside Woodland project.
The Tree Council, as part of the Shared Outcomes Fund Trees Outside Woodland project, has released a case study sharing the methodology and learnings from planting a Miyawaki-style micro forest.
This new case study provides a detailed look at Kent County Council’s experience establishing a small, densely planted plot of trees using the Miyawaki method – a technique developed in Japan to accelerate forest regeneration and biodiversity in urban and degraded areas.
The document offers valuable lessons learned and early findings to help inform similar projects across the UK.
“We’re thrilled to share this case study as a resource for councils, community groups, and environmental organisations exploring the potential of Miyawaki planting to maximise tree establishment where space is limited,” said Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at The Tree Council.
“Kent’s experience offers a real-world example of how these high-density micro forests can be implemented in the UK context, supporting urban and peri-urban tree planting and boosting biodiversity.”
Read the full case study here and learn more about the Trees Outside Woodland project’s Miyawaki pilot here.
The Tree Council has been working with Defra, Natural England, and five local authorities through the Trees Outside Woodland programme to test and evaluate novel tree planting approaches that can deliver environmental, social, and ecological benefits outside traditional woodland settings.
Kent County Council led on the pilot investigating urban tree planting in which the Miyawaki method trials were undertaken.
Simon Jones, Kent County Council’s corporate director for growth, environment and transport, said: “We are proud that our Miyawaki tree planting project is being used as a resource for other councils and organisations who are looking to boost urban biodiversity and green spaces.
“This project has enhanced our local environment and, with the insights and practical guidance shared in this case study, it will hopefully help support similar efforts across the UK.”
Earlier this year, the Trees Outside Woodland project published research which found that, in a trial, urban trees planted in poor quality soil using the method returned far higher early survival and growth rates than more typical approaches used within local authorities.
The Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, involves high-density planting in specially prepared soil. It has had positive results in Japan, where it was first used to plant trees in the 1970s. However, when this project began, in 2020, it was almost unknown in the UK. This project has tested the approach’s viability and cost effectiveness compared to standard planting methods.
The Trees Outside Woodland project planted 16 different trial sites across four local authorities, with a variety of native tree and shrub species planted densely at 3-5 trees per square metre in prepared and enhanced soil, alongside a control plot using more typical planting methods.
Trial sites with public access were chosen, such as recreational parks, with characteristics such as high air pollution, below average tree cover, or high levels of deprivation, where trees could make a real difference.
Kent County Council was the lead local authority for the project and one of its trials, at Park Wood, is in an open recreation area that was previously a builder’s yard, with contaminated soil from construction waste, such as sand and bricks.
Analysis in 2024, following establishment of the plot in 2021, reported a very high 99% survival rate in the area planted using the Miyawaki method. Today, the trees resemble a dense thicket, with some trees reaching 15 ft and providing habitat and food for birds and have suffered no vandalism at all. In comparison, there is a good 82% survival rate in the control at this site, but visibly slower growth with trees at waist to shoulder height and having suffered from having stems snapped.
- Read the full case study here.
- Read the full report recently published on The Tree Council website.
- The Trees Outside Woodland project is a five-year, £4.8 million R&D project, funded by HM Government’s Shared Outcomes Fund.
- The project is a collaboration between Defra, The Tree Council, Natural England, and five local authorities in England.
