The Miyawaki method: London Road Forest Border - Horniman Museum and Gardens
Source: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/the-miyawaki-method-london-forest-road-border
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
The Miyawaki method: London Road Forest Border - Horniman Museum and Gardens
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The Horniman sits along one of London’s busiest roads, the South Circular. While this makes us accessible to many, it also means the flora and fauna in the Gardens are vulnerable to high levels of noise and air pollution.
During the pandemic, we decided to plant a forest border along our roadside boundary, experimenting with a technique we’ve not used before called the Miyawaki method.
The micro-forest planted will grow over the next 10 years and provide a ‘green screen’ for the creatures, plants and people that spend time at the Horniman.
What is the Miyawaki method?
Developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the technique encourages rapid, strong forest growth with a bit of healthy competition. Using varieties native to the environment, saplings are planted close together in the ground.
Such overcrowding encourages the trees to battle over light, space and water, therefore mimicking natural forestation processes. If all goes to plan, the trees will grow taller, stronger and faster than other man-made forests.
How was this technique developed?
Mr Miyawaki (29 January 1928-16 July 2021) had a particular interest in phytosociology, which is how plant species interact with one another in shared environments. After completing a PhD in plant ecology, Mr Miyawaki studied under specialist Reinhold Tüxen in Germany. There he learned about the concept of potential natural vegetation.
This is an idea that suggests that, to improve biodiversity, gardeners must create an environment similar to that of pre-human involvement in landscapes.
Taking this idea further, Mr Miyawaki noted that indigenous, or naturally occurring, forests are layered together with four categories of plants. These include main tree layer species, sub-tree species, shrubs and ground-covering herbs. By combining all he had learned, Mr Miyawaki developed a new way of planting forests.
Why use the Miyawaki method?
Unlike traditional planting methods, trees grown using the Miyawaki technique grow very rapidly.
This makes the planting structure ideal for smaller projects and those implemented in urban environments, such as our Forest Border.
All woodlands capture carbon from the atmosphere and encourage biodiversity. But studies have shown that a Miyawaki forest is home to a greater variety of living organisms, including animals, birds and insects, than traditionally planted woodlands.
The denseness of growth typical in a Miyawaki forest is thought to provide more opportunity for pollinators and shelter for birds. Increased canopy cover shades out weeds and creates a cool climate for insects. Greater volumes of deadwood and leaf litter build fertility in the soil, ideal for fungi and invertebrates, while a wide variety of species is thought to be better insulated from disease destruction.
Given the climate and ecological emergency, which has seen global animal species decline, planting techniques which encourage biodiversity are more important now than ever before.
The Horniman’s micro-forest is getting on for two years old, having been planted in January 2022. This summer it is looking leafier and more verdant than ever before. The Horniman’s Supervising Horticulturalist, Annette Foerger, told us about the forest progress from the beginning of last year.
“In the first three years, the most important thing is weed management. We tackled this by covering the ground with a special straw-like mulch, similar to that used in vegetable gardens, to suppress weeds. And it has worked.
“We topped up the mulch this spring and we think now it is one of the reasons the trees have grown so well. The trees are in competition with one another rather than being in competition with the weeds as well.
“The plants seem to have grown in a textbook Miyawaki fashion. The trees we planted are mostly growing tall and narrow and won’t develop a crown like they might in more traditional settings. When planting, we included a mix of species that grow at different rates, including pioneer fast-growing plants such as silver birch, which can provide protection for slower-growing varieties such as oak and beech trees.
“What has been interesting to observe is, within a relatively small area – the Forest Border spans 400 square metres – there are different microclimates and soil conditions within it. Some patches have much wetter soil, due to the topography of the area, and that’s where the areas of most explosive growth have been.
“We have had a few losses over the last 18 months. Initially, around 900 trees were planted. We have seen fewer than 50 losses over the period. We do expect to see that number rise a little over the next few years, particularly if we have another extremely dry summer similar to last year.
“But mostly, we have let nature do its thing.”
The plants seem to have grown in a textbook Miyawaki fashion.
Annette Foerger, Supervising Horticulturalist at the Horniman
The special straw-like mulch the Gardens team used to cover the soil and prevent weeds
Early on in the project, we asked our Head of Horticulture Errol Reuben Fernandes what he hoped for the forest’s future. ‘In 10 years we can expect to see a dense thicket of trees three metres high that will screen our view of the busy South Circular road. A micro-forest will absorb 30 times more CO2 than conventional tree planting and the dense canopy will act as a particulate pollution filter.’
We can’t wait to see it.
A micro-forest will absorb 30 times more CO2 than conventional tree planting.
Errol Reuben Fernandes, Head of Horticulture at the Horniman
What are the benefits of a Miyawaki forest?
At the Horniman, we’re hoping that the Forest Border will absorb light, sound and air pollution, shielding the gardens from the worst of the road traffic. In fact, the trees are particularly good at capturing particulate pollution and CO2.
The increased vegetation will help to regulate the temperature of the surrounding Gardens, while the forest will improve the soil quality and reduce the risk of erosion and flooding.
How can you make your own micro-forest?
If you are lucky enough to have the time and space to try creating your own micro-forest, there are a few steps to follow.
Step one – consider a location
To plant a successful Miyawaki forest, the minimum space requirement is a plot of three metres by four metres. Luckily, the technique is not restricted by soil conditions or climate, but it will need an area which remains sunny for at least eight hours a day.
Once the ideal location has been selected, the ground must be cleared. You can add a mound or two for interest if you like.
Step two – prepare the soil
Once you have cleared the area, prepare the soil with locally available compost. If you make your own,
like we do in the Gardens
, even better.
You can also mix organic fertilisers and water retainers, which are usually widely available, into the soil if you wish.
Step three – picking your plants
The trick to the Miyawaki method is to embed as many different plants as possible into the area. Ideally, pick native trees and shrubs, using a mixture of main tree layer species, sub-tree species, shrubs and ground-covering herbs.
At the Horniman Gardens, we have planted a mixture of these trees in the Forest Border:
Euonymus oxyphyllus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Ginkgo biloba
Larix decidua
Prunus cerasifera
Amelanchier lamarckii
Cornus mas
Hippophae salicifolia
Sorbus torminalis
Sorbus aria
Quercus petraea
Pinus sylvestris
We asked our Head of Horticulture, Errol, how he selected the plant species to grow. ‘With climate change in mind and the climate in London predicted to be similar to that of Barcelona by 2050, we also included species from further afield. These trees have been selected for their ability to withstand a reduction in rainfall and an increase in temperatures.’
A larch tree flourishes in the Forest Border
Step four – arranging the plants
Arrange dense planting. You’re aiming for a random structure, with similar species spread out while avoiding a repeated pattern. As a general rule of thumb, try to plant three to five saplings per square metre.
Remember to plant the seedlings close together. It might seem unnecessary, but this denseness forces the plants to compete and therefore grow quickly. Miyawaki forests can be up to 30 times denser than traditionally planted woodlands.
When the planting is complete, spread a thick layer of mulch over the soil.
Will you have a go at creating your own mini-forest? Send us your pictures if you do, using #Horniman.
The London Road Forest Border has been made possible by generous donations from our brilliant community as part of the
London Road Planting Appeal
, and the Kusuma Trust.
Find out more about our progress in climate and ecological work in the
Climate and Ecology Manifesto – two years on
.
Related stories
London Road Forest Border
In February 2021 we launched our London Road Tree Planting Appeal. We wanted to enhance the Gardens for the whole community by creating a more welcoming, safe and peaceful haven for people and wildlife.
Find out more
Horniman reveals design for south London micro-forest
By Press Team, 10 January 2022
We are sharing detailed plans for our new micro-forest, as planting begins on the site alongside the A205 South Circular road.
Around the Horniman
The majority of the Horniman is free to enter.
Find out more
News and Stories
The Horniman is the only Museum and Gardens in London to combine…
Find out more
Walk
Gardens Walk
Walking is one of the simplest exercises we can do; even 10-minute…
Find out more
About the Horniman
The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share.
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The Horniman sits along one of London’s busiest roads, the South Circular. While this makes us accessible to many, it also means the flora and fauna in the Gardens are vulnerable to high levels of noise and air pollution.
During the pandemic, we decided to plant a forest border along our roadside boundary, experimenting with a technique we’ve not used before called the Miyawaki method.
The micro-forest planted will grow over the next 10 years and provide a ‘green screen’ for the creatures, plants and people that spend time at the Horniman.
What is the Miyawaki method?
Developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the technique encourages rapid, strong forest growth with a bit of healthy competition. Using varieties native to the environment, saplings are planted close together in the ground.
Such overcrowding encourages the trees to battle over light, space and water, therefore mimicking natural forestation processes. If all goes to plan, the trees will grow taller, stronger and faster than other man-made forests.
How was this technique developed?
Mr Miyawaki (29 January 1928-16 July 2021) had a particular interest in phytosociology, which is how plant species interact with one another in shared environments. After completing a PhD in plant ecology, Mr Miyawaki studied under specialist Reinhold Tüxen in Germany. There he learned about the concept of potential natural vegetation.
This is an idea that suggests that, to improve biodiversity, gardeners must create an environment similar to that of pre-human involvement in landscapes.
Taking this idea further, Mr Miyawaki noted that indigenous, or naturally occurring, forests are layered together with four categories of plants. These include main tree layer species, sub-tree species, shrubs and ground-covering herbs. By combining all he had learned, Mr Miyawaki developed a new way of planting forests.
Why use the Miyawaki method?
Unlike traditional planting methods, trees grown using the Miyawaki technique grow very rapidly.
This makes the planting structure ideal for smaller projects and those implemented in urban environments, such as our Forest Border.
All woodlands capture carbon from the atmosphere and encourage biodiversity. But studies have shown that a Miyawaki forest is home to a greater variety of living organisms, including animals, birds and insects, than traditionally planted woodlands.
The denseness of growth typical in a Miyawaki forest is thought to provide more opportunity for pollinators and shelter for birds. Increased canopy cover shades out weeds and creates a cool climate for insects. Greater volumes of deadwood and leaf litter build fertility in the soil, ideal for fungi and invertebrates, while a wide variety of species is thought to be better insulated from disease destruction.
Given the climate and ecological emergency, which has seen global animal species decline, planting techniques which encourage biodiversity are more important now than ever before.
The Horniman’s micro-forest is getting on for two years old, having been planted in January 2022. This summer it is looking leafier and more verdant than ever before. The Horniman’s Supervising Horticulturalist, Annette Foerger, told us about the forest progress from the beginning of last year.
“In the first three years, the most important thing is weed management. We tackled this by covering the ground with a special straw-like mulch, similar to that used in vegetable gardens, to suppress weeds. And it has worked.
“We topped up the mulch this spring and we think now it is one of the reasons the trees have grown so well. The trees are in competition with one another rather than being in competition with the weeds as well.
“The plants seem to have grown in a textbook Miyawaki fashion. The trees we planted are mostly growing tall and narrow and won’t develop a crown like they might in more traditional settings. When planting, we included a mix of species that grow at different rates, including pioneer fast-growing plants such as silver birch, which can provide protection for slower-growing varieties such as oak and beech trees.
“What has been interesting to observe is, within a relatively small area – the Forest Border spans 400 square metres – there are different microclimates and soil conditions within it. Some patches have much wetter soil, due to the topography of the area, and that’s where the areas of most explosive growth have been.
“We have had a few losses over the last 18 months. Initially, around 900 trees were planted. We have seen fewer than 50 losses over the period. We do expect to see that number rise a little over the next few years, particularly if we have another extremely dry summer similar to last year.
“But mostly, we have let nature do its thing.”
The plants seem to have grown in a textbook Miyawaki fashion.
Annette Foerger, Supervising Horticulturalist at the Horniman
The special straw-like mulch the Gardens team used to cover the soil and prevent weeds
Early on in the project, we asked our Head of Horticulture Errol Reuben Fernandes what he hoped for the forest’s future. ‘In 10 years we can expect to see a dense thicket of trees three metres high that will screen our view of the busy South Circular road. A micro-forest will absorb 30 times more CO2 than conventional tree planting and the dense canopy will act as a particulate pollution filter.’
We can’t wait to see it.
A micro-forest will absorb 30 times more CO2 than conventional tree planting.
Errol Reuben Fernandes, Head of Horticulture at the Horniman
What are the benefits of a Miyawaki forest?
At the Horniman, we’re hoping that the Forest Border will absorb light, sound and air pollution, shielding the gardens from the worst of the road traffic. In fact, the trees are particularly good at capturing particulate pollution and CO2.
The increased vegetation will help to regulate the temperature of the surrounding Gardens, while the forest will improve the soil quality and reduce the risk of erosion and flooding.
How can you make your own micro-forest?
If you are lucky enough to have the time and space to try creating your own micro-forest, there are a few steps to follow.
Step one – consider a location
To plant a successful Miyawaki forest, the minimum space requirement is a plot of three metres by four metres. Luckily, the technique is not restricted by soil conditions or climate, but it will need an area which remains sunny for at least eight hours a day.
Once the ideal location has been selected, the ground must be cleared. You can add a mound or two for interest if you like.
Step two – prepare the soil
Once you have cleared the area, prepare the soil with locally available compost. If you make your own,
like we do in the Gardens
, even better.
You can also mix organic fertilisers and water retainers, which are usually widely available, into the soil if you wish.
Step three – picking your plants
The trick to the Miyawaki method is to embed as many different plants as possible into the area. Ideally, pick native trees and shrubs, using a mixture of main tree layer species, sub-tree species, shrubs and ground-covering herbs.
At the Horniman Gardens, we have planted a mixture of these trees in the Forest Border:
Euonymus oxyphyllus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Ginkgo biloba
Larix decidua
Prunus cerasifera
Amelanchier lamarckii
Cornus mas
Hippophae salicifolia
Sorbus torminalis
Sorbus aria
Quercus petraea
Pinus sylvestris
We asked our Head of Horticulture, Errol, how he selected the plant species to grow. ‘With climate change in mind and the climate in London predicted to be similar to that of Barcelona by 2050, we also included species from further afield. These trees have been selected for their ability to withstand a reduction in rainfall and an increase in temperatures.’
A larch tree flourishes in the Forest Border
Step four – arranging the plants
Arrange dense planting. You’re aiming for a random structure, with similar species spread out while avoiding a repeated pattern. As a general rule of thumb, try to plant three to five saplings per square metre.
Remember to plant the seedlings close together. It might seem unnecessary, but this denseness forces the plants to compete and therefore grow quickly. Miyawaki forests can be up to 30 times denser than traditionally planted woodlands.
When the planting is complete, spread a thick layer of mulch over the soil.
Will you have a go at creating your own mini-forest? Send us your pictures if you do, using #Horniman.
The London Road Forest Border has been made possible by generous donations from our brilliant community as part of the
London Road Planting Appeal
, and the Kusuma Trust.
Find out more about our progress in climate and ecological work in the
Climate and Ecology Manifesto – two years on
.
Related stories
London Road Forest Border
In February 2021 we launched our London Road Tree Planting Appeal. We wanted to enhance the Gardens for the whole community by creating a more welcoming, safe and peaceful haven for people and wildlife.
Find out more
Horniman reveals design for south London micro-forest
By Press Team, 10 January 2022
We are sharing detailed plans for our new micro-forest, as planting begins on the site alongside the A205 South Circular road.
Around the Horniman
The majority of the Horniman is free to enter.
Find out more
News and Stories
The Horniman is the only Museum and Gardens in London to combine…
Find out more
Walk
Gardens Walk
Walking is one of the simplest exercises we can do; even 10-minute…
Find out more
About the Horniman
The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share.
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ASP.NET_SessionId
session
Issued by Microsoft's ASP.NET Application, this cookie stores session data during a user's website visit.
AWSALBCORS
7 days
Amazon Web Services set this cookie for load balancing.
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement
1 year
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
CookieLawInfoConsent
1 year
CookieYes sets this cookie to record the default button state of the corresponding category and the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.
incap_ses_*
session
This is an Incapsula DDoS Protection and Web Application Firewall cookie that is used to relate HTTP requests to a certain session.
JSESSIONID
session
New Relic uses this cookie to store a session identifier so that New Relic can monitor session counts for an application.
nlbi_*
session
This cookie is set to improve security and provide load-balancing to ensure that a client's requests are sent to the same origin server.
reese84
1 month
This is a security cookie used by Imperva Incapsula web firewall and bot protection service. This cookie generates a unique fingerprint for each user to identify and block bots.
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
visid_incap_*
1 year
Incapsula sets this cookie to provide cloud-based website security services.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.
Cookie
Duration
Description
__cf_bm
30 minutes
This cookie is set by CloudFare. The cookie is used to support Cloudfare Bot Management.
_donations_session
1 year
Used by Donorbox to collect anonymous information to process your donation.
sp_landing
1 day
The sp_landing is set by Spotify to implement audio content from Spotify on the website and also registers information on user interaction related to the audio content.
sp_t
1 year
The sp_t cookie is set by Spotify to implement audio content from Spotify on the website and also registers information on user interaction related to the audio content.
yt-player-bandwidth
never
The yt-player-bandwidth cookie is used to store the user's video player preferences and settings, particularly related to bandwidth and streaming quality on YouTube.
yt-player-headers-readable
never
The yt-player-headers-readable cookie is used by YouTube to store user preferences related to video playback and interface, enhancing the user's viewing experience.
yt-remote-cast-available
session
The yt-remote-cast-available cookie is used to store the user's preferences regarding whether casting is available on their YouTube video player.
yt-remote-cast-installed
session
The yt-remote-cast-installed cookie is used to store the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.
yt-remote-connected-devices
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-id
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-fast-check-period
session
The yt-remote-fast-check-period cookie is used by YouTube to store the user's video player preferences for embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-session-app
session
The yt-remote-session-app cookie is used by YouTube to store user preferences and information about the interface of the embedded YouTube video player.
yt-remote-session-name
session
The yt-remote-session-name cookie is used by YouTube to store the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.
ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY
never
Used by YouTube to store the last search result entry that was clicked by the user. This information is used to improve the user experience by providing more relevant search results in the future.
Performance
performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website, which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Cookie
Duration
Description
AWSALB
7 days
AWSALB is an application load balancer cookie set by Amazon Web Services to map the session to the target.
TNEW
session
This cookie is used on our ticketing site to allow you to sign in and purchase tickets.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
5 months 27 days
This cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
Analytics
analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, pages visited on site, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
___utmvc
less than a minute
The cookie is installed by Google Analytics to gather data on the user's site usage. This data is then used to compile reports and improve the site.
_fbp
3 months
Facebook sets this cookie to display advertisements when either on Facebook or on a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting the website.
_ga
1 year 1 month 4 days
Google Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*
1 year 1 month 4 days
Google Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.
_gat_UA-*
1 minute
Google Analytics sets this cookie for user behaviour tracking.
_gcl_au
3 months
Google Tag Manager sets the cookie to experiment advertisement efficiency of websites using their services.
_gid
1 day
Google Analytics sets this cookie to store information on how visitors use a website while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the collected data includes the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
ajs_anonymous_id
never
This cookie is set by Segment to count the number of people who visit a certain site by tracking if they have visited before.
ajs_group_id
never
This cookie is set by Segment to track visitor usage and events within the website.
ajs_user_id
never
This cookie is set by Segment to help track visitor usage, events, target marketing, and also measure application performance and stability.
vuid
2 years
This domain of this cookie is owned by Vimeo. This cookie is used by vimeo to collect tracking information. It sets a unique ID to embed videos to the website.
YSC
session
This cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
Advertisement
advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customised ads.
Cookie
Duration
Description
IDE
1 year 24 days
Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
NID
6 months
This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
PREF
8 months
PREF cookie is set by Youtube to store user preferences like language, format of search results and other customizations for YouTube Videos embedded in different sites.
test_cookie
15 minutes
This cookie is set by doubleclick.net. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA
6 months
YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's cookie consent state for the current domain.
yt.innertube::nextId
never
YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requests
never
YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
Others
others
Other uncategorised cookies are those that are being analysed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Cookie
Duration
Description
__cflb
1 hour
This cookie is used by Cloudflare for load balancing.
_cfuvid
session
Cloudflare uses this cookie to distinguish between users from the same IP address.
cf_clearance
1 year
A clearance cookie that stores the proof that a Javascript or Captcha challenge has been passed.
debug
never
Pending
hmt_id
1 month
This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots.
loglevel
never
A persistent cookie that collects data on user interaction with our video-content.
m
2 years
This Stripe cookie determines the device used to access the website. This allows the website to be formatted accordingly.
Trinity-Session-collage_public-web
session
Pending
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