Japanese technique used to create mini woodland in South Oxhey

More than 1,500 trees were planted in the playing fields thanks to the efforts of volunteers from Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service, county councillors, personnel from Northwood Headquarters, Cllr Stephen King, the Chair of the district council, Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, and Cllr Jon Tankard, Lead Member for Climate Change & Sustainability.

The Miyawaki Method, which was developed by Dr Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist, in the 1970s, uses dense planting of native species on open land or areas with degraded soil to create fast-growing, self-sustaining, small woodlands. Before planting the ground was turned over and large amounts of compost added. This approach accelerates ecosystem development and can deliver long-term environmental benefits.

Cllr Jon Tankard said: “This is the first time we have trialled the Miyawaki Method after seeing it being used successfully in urban areas in other parts of Britian and Europe.

“The soil at South Oxhey Playing Fields is poor quality, making it the perfect place to test this method where we hope it will help restore the local ecosystem and quickly establish a flourishing, dense woodland for our residents and visitors to enjoy as well as be explorative, natural play areas for our children to have fun and learn about the local wildlife in the area.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to help plant the trees for their hard work and dedication, which I am sure our residents are very grateful and thankful for.”

The trees were a mix of English Oak, Hornbeam, Hazel, Hawthorn, Red Oak, Silver Birch, Wild Cherry, Dog Rose, Elder, Rowan, Holly, Field Maple, Sweet Chestnut, Lime (small-leaved), Wild service, Wych Elm, Scots Pine, European Larch, Spindle, Goat willow, Purging buckthorn and Dogwood.