Taking Root Plants 625 Native Trees in its First Miyawaki Mini Forest

On April 18, over 70 volunteers planted 625 native trees in Cincinnati’s Camp Washington neighborhood, creating a dense Miyawaki mini forest in just one morning. The City of Cincinnati provided the 1,800-square-foot site near Millcreek Road for the forest planting. This Miyawaki Mini Forest marks a major step toward restoring tree canopy in one of the city’s lowest-canopy neighborhoods. Taking Root will plant a second forest in the autumn near the Hopple Street exit, with two additional forests in 2027.

The innovative Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, uses dense plantings of diverse native species in enriched soil to accelerate forest growth. This mini forest is designed to quickly restore environmental benefits where they are needed most.

Compared to traditional planting, Miyawaki forests:

• Grow faster and become established more quickly
• Improve urban cooling and air quality
• Manage stormwater more effectively
• Support biodiversity in small spaces

The planting is the culmination of months of planning with partners including the UC Field Center, the Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship, Cincinnati Parks and many others. The Bell Charitable Foundation and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation both donated funds for the Miyawaki Initiative.

This project is part of a broader effort to expand Miyawaki mini forests across the region. As these sites grow, they will demonstrate how reforesting small urban spaces can deliver significant environmental impact.

• Learn more about the Miyawaki Mini Forest Initiative and why Taking Root is planting mini forests.
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