Algonquin Garden Club plants region’s first Miyawaki Mini-Forest

Algonquin Garden Club completes planting of region’s first Miyawaki Mini-Forest 207 native trees and shrubs planted, creating a dense, rapidly-growing pollinator habitat

The Algonquin Garden Club, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, successfully completed the planting of the first Miyawaki Mini-Forest in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 25.

The planting, which took place at the Dixie Briggs Fromm Land and Water Preserve in Dundee Township, saw 27 dedicated volunteers successfully plant 207 native trees and shrubs.

Due to increased community support, the project footprint was expanded from 600 square feet to a 936-square-foot area. The site now includes a pathway for future visitors to view the densely planted forest, which is designed to create a vital, fast-maturing habitat for local pollinators and wildlife.

Project details and impact

The Miyawaki method promotes dense, biodiverse ecosystems that grow up to 10 times faster than conventional planting, encouraging rapid growth and maturity in 20-30 years. The forest will enhance the preserve’s ecological health by improving soil, providing shade, and reducing stormwater runoff.

Native species planted

The diverse plant selection included native, pollinator-friendly varieties:

• Canopy trees: Varieties of oaks and hickories.

• Understory trees: Redbud, American plum, downy serviceberry, scarlet hawthorn, prairie crabapple, ironwood, Alleghany serviceberry, and witch hazel.

• Shrubs: Snowberry, chokecherry, spicebush, bladdernut, elderberry, nannyberry, hazelnut, and gooseberry. (Note: Many plants were nurtured from bare root saplings over the summer near the planting site.)

Sponsorship and funding

The Algonquin Garden Club secured a total of $6,100 in grants and in-kind contributions for the project:

• Nicor Gas Charitable Giving: $3,500

• The Nature Conservancy (via the Volunteer Stewardship Network): $2,100

• Espoma: $250

• Ames Tools: $250

• Ziegler’s Ace Hardware: $25

• In-kind design: Dickson Design Studio

• Algonquin Garden Club budgeted: $700

The grants funded the purchase of trees, shrubs, compost delivery, fencing, and future signage and forbs.

Next steps

The area will be monitored and watered through the winter. The club plans to add approximately 70 herbaceous forbs in the spring, and is committed to long-term monitoring and maintenance. The Algonquin Garden Club hopes this success will be the first of many such projects in Northern Illinois.