Micro Forest at the Bette Davis Picnic Area
1850 Riverside Dr
Glendale, CA 91201
The Miyawaki Method was developed by Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki, in the 1980s. The method uses densely planted native trees and shrubs to create a multi-story micro forest. The density encourages plants to grow faster and create stronger mycorrhiza connections. The plot is monitored, watered and weeded for the first two years and then it becomes self-sufficient. This method has provided interesting results. The dense plantings are said to produce mature forests in 20 years as opposed to the 200 year timeline of traditional forest plantings. There is said to be a huge increase in biodiversity and this can help restore depletion after destructive deforestation. The Miyawaki Method has been used all over the world, in over 15 different countries, and now there is a micro forest in Griffith Park.
Planted in June of 2021, the micro forest was created by the executive director of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Carolyn Ramsay, the president of the Hancock Garden Club, Michaela Burschinger, and the program manager of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Katherine Pakradouni, and was planted by volunteers. The forest is only 1,000 square feet, contains 145 plants planted two feet apart and a curving path through the center. It was important not to place plants of similar species or heights next to each other and to avoid making rows. This helps create healthy competition between the plants and accelerates the growing process. Most of the plants, Mexican elderberry, lemonade berry, California wild rose, mug- wort, and coastal live oak, came from seeds started in the soon to be reopened Commonwealth Nursery.
There are plans to create other mirco forests in other parts of the city, specifically in urban areas that currently have no biodiversity, and then to monitor the micro forest for its impact on the area.
The Micro Forest is not labeled on any maps but is not too hard to find. It is in the Bette Davis Picnic Area in the southern corner between the LA River and Riverside Dr. The forest is currently fenced off but, as it grows, will be open to the public.