by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree

This article is the first in a series about the Miyawaki Method of reforestation—a revolutionary tool for combating climate change and restoring degraded landscapes.

The urgent need to restore forests has never been greater, largely due to climate change and biodiversity loss. Traditional tree-planting efforts, however, can seem like a losing battle. These plantations typically grow slowly and require extensive, long-term maintenance, such as watering and weeding, making them costly and resource-intensive.

These plantations often focus on timber production rather than ecological restoration and may experience low sapling survival rates due to poor soil conditions or inadequate adaptation to the local environment. Enter the Miyawaki Method of reforestation.

This method is an innovative approach to reforestation that’s quickly gaining popularity worldwide. Named after its creator, Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, this method emphasizes planting trees and creating entire ecosystems that mimic the complex processes of a natural forest.

Dr. Miyawaki’s technique speeds up this natural development, turning barren land into lush, self-sustaining forests up to 10 times faster than traditional reforestation methods. In short, it’s a way to grow a thriving, diverse forest in just a few years—a forest that actively fights climate change and restores wildlife.

How Does the Miyawaki Method Work?

How does the Miyawaki Method work? Start by examining the land and gaining a comprehensive understanding of it. Your goal is to analyze the soil to identify the native tree species that will thrive there. We’re not talking about importing exotic trees; instead, we’re focused on restoring the local ecosystem’s unique botanical heritage. A wide variety of species—often 30 to 50 different types—are selected, ensuring a diverse and vibrant ecosystem from the beginning.

Next, you need to prepare the soil for this innovative reforestation effort—a vital step to succeed with the Miyawaki Method and often overlooked. Just as a strong foundation is essential for a sturdy building, healthy soil is crucial for a thriving forest. Organic matter, such as compost and natural mulches, can be added to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. The aim is to create the ideal environment for young trees to establish themselves quickly.

Next comes dense planting. Trees are planted close together, often with three to five saplings per square meter. This process stiumlates intense competition for sunlight, forcing young trees to grow upwards rapidly. That accelerates their development. Their intertwining root systems also establish a strong, stable network that shares nutrients and water underground. Above ground, the dense canopy quickly forms, creating a unique microclimate that reduces water evaporation and encourages the growth of other forest floor vegetation.

The initial years often require some dedicated care, primarily ensuring the saplings receive enough water and are protected from weeds. After just two to three years, however, the forest becomes highly self-sufficient, needing minimal human intervention. The results are nothing short of astounding. Miyawaki forests grow approximately ten times faster than conventional plantations. What might take a traditional forest 100 years to achieve in terms of density and biodiversity, a Miyawaki forest can accomplish in just a decade.
Principles Behind the Miyawaki Method
Unlike large-scale reforestation projects that require vast tracts of land, Miyawaki forests can be planted on surprisingly small plots – from neglected urban corners and industrial sites to schoolyards and community gardens. That makes the method a perfect solution for localized, community-driven environmental initiatives.
The science behind the Miyawaki Method includes:

• Competition for light drives vertical growth.
• Root systems intertwine, sharing nutrients and water.
• Microclimates created by dense canopies reduce evaporation.
• Creating a rich ecosystem from the outset.
• Attracting diverse flora and fauna quickly.
• Enhancing soil health and microbial activity.
• Increasing resistance to pests, diseases, and climate extremes.

Miyawaki Projects in Rhode Island

The examples below demonstrate a growing interest and implementation of the Miyawaki Method throughout New England, particularly in urban areas, to address climate change, enhance biodiversity, and create green spaces.

• Providence, RI (Pearl Street Garden): As of May 2025, a Miyawaki micro forest has been planted in the Pearl Street Garden in Providence’s South Side. This 1,000-square-foot area saw the planting of 260 native trees and shrubs.
• Providence, RI (Prairie Avenue): Groundwork Rhode Island also recently planted the city’s first micro forest on Prairie Avenue in South Providence, utilizing the Miyawaki Method.

These examples show the growing interest and implementation of the Miyawaki Method throughout New England, particularly in urban areas, to address climate change, enhance biodiversity, and create green spaces. Organizations like Biodiversity for a Livable Climate actively promote and facilitate these projects across the region.

The Miyawaki Method isn’t just a new planting technique. It testifies to the power of understanding and imitating nature. Creating dense, diverse, and rapidly growing native forests is a tangible and highly effective solution to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. Embracing and expanding the Miyawaki Method holds immense potential to reforest our planet, one vibrant, biodiverse mini-forest at a time.

In the next article, we’ll explore the benefits of the Miyawaki method more deeply and look at some of its pros and cons. For more information on this reforestation method and tips on how you can help implement it, contact RI Tree.

This winter left a lot of damage in its wake. Trees and shrubs bore the brunt of this year’s winter. Spring is the ideal time to clean and prepare your property for the warmer months. The key is to closely review the landscape and assess trees and plants for structural damage. When doing so, inspect the entire tree or shrub for any damage. It will save you time and money.

Here are seven tips to help you get your property in shape:

1. Clear out winter debris: Start by removing leaves, twigs, fallen branches, and other accumulated debris from your lawn, garden beds, and hardscapes like patios and walkways. This exercise helps prevent diseases and allows air and sunlight to reach your grass and plants.
2. Prune and trim: Inspect your trees and shrubs for dead, damaged, or overgrown branches from winter. Prune these back to encourage new, healthy growth. For spring-blooming shrubs, wait until after they’ve flowered to avoid removing this year’s blooms. You can also trim back dead perennial foliage and ornamental grasses.
3. Prepare garden beds: Clear out old annuals and dead plant matter from your garden beds. Amend the soil with compost or other organic materials to replenish nutrients and improve drainage. This step creates a nourishing foundation for new plantings.

4. Address your lawn: Not everyone has a lawn. If you do, do the following:
   • Rake
   • Aerate
   • Fertilize
   • Control weeds
   • Over seed bare spots
5. Inspect and clean hardscapes: Power wash your patios, decks, driveways, and walkways to remove dirt, grime, and mildew that may have accumulated over winter. Also, check wooden structures like decks and fences for any rot or damage and make necessary repairs.
6. Check gutters and drainage: Clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are debris-free and can properly direct water away from your home’s foundation. Inspect the grading around your house to confirm it slopes away, preventing water from pooling.
7. Prepare outdoor equipment: Get your lawnmower and other gardening tools ready. Sharpen blades, check oil levels, and ensure everything is in good working order. This activity will make your spring clean-up tasks much easier and more efficient.

Common Spring Pests and Diseases

Spring in New England brings a flush of new growth and the emergence of various pests and diseases that can impact your plants. Being vigilant and knowing what to look for can help you address issues early. Here are some common pests to watch for in New England during the spring:

Common Pests:

• Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects come in various colors and suck sap from new growth, causing leaves to curl, yellow, or distort. Look for them on the undersides of leaves and new shoots.
• Eastern Tent Caterpillars: You’ll see their distinctive silken “tents” in the crotches of trees like cherry, apple, and crabapple. The caterpillars emerge in early spring and can defoliate branches.
• Winter Moth Caterpillars: These small, green loopers emerge in early spring and feed on buds and new leaves of a wide range of deciduous trees, including maples, oaks, and fruit trees. They can cause significant defoliation. See photo below

• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: A serious invasive pest of hemlock trees. In spring, you’ll see small, white, cottony masses at the base of hemlock needles on the twigs. These insects suck sap and can severely weaken or kill hemlocks.
• Spider Mites: Though tiny, spider mites can cause stippling (tiny yellow or white dots) on leaves, especially on evergreens and stressed plants. In severe cases, you might see fine webbing. They thrive in dry conditions.

Common Diseases:

• Apple Scab: A prevalent fungal disease of apple and crabapple trees. Look for olive-green to brown spots on leaves and fruit. Infected leaves may turn yellow and drop prematurely.
• Anthracnose: A group of fungal diseases affecting many deciduous trees. Symptoms include irregular brown spots on leaves, often concentrated along veins, and can lead to twig dieback and defoliation, especially during cool, wet spring weather.
• Powdery Mildew: Appears as white, powdery patches on leaves, stems, and sometimes flowers. While often more prevalent later in the season, it can emerge in spring on susceptible plants when conditions are humid.
• Cedars/junipers and apple/crabapple trees: In spring, bright orange, gelatinous galls may appear on cedars, releasing spores that infect apple and crabapple leaves, causing yellow-orange spots.

Also, be careful about ticks and mosquitoes. While not plant pests, spring is when these nuisance insects become active and pose health risks to humans and pets in New England. Take precautions when spending time outdoors.

For more information on pests and diseases in New England, contact our experts at RITree.org.

Trees can adapt to many different local conditions. That can greatly affect tree growth, especially in New England. Seasonal changes, for example, in winter and summer in our area, can dramatically impact tree growth in urban areas. The right factors in the right amounts can drive tree growth. They’re critical factors in tree development. Their interplay creates the character of New England’s forests.

This article will explore how conditions in New England can impact tree growth and how trees thrive in harsh conditions. By looking at these strategies, we can better understand the balance of urban forest ecosystems and their challenges. Understanding how these factors affect tree growth is key to much forestry and ecological studies.

Thriving in Many Climates and Conditions
Trees can adapt to many climates and conditions. These adaptations can be categorized as morphological (structural), physiological (functional), and phenological (timing of life events). Light intensity, water availability, and temperature are physiological conditions and key factors that impact tree growth. Here’s how these factors impact tree growth in our area:
• Light intensity—New England’s tall buildings and dense urban structures cast long shadows over trees, killing the direct sunlight these plants need. This is especially problematic in narrow streets and courtyards, where trees may get only a few hours of direct sunlight daily. This can disrupt the consistent light exposure needed for optimal photosynthesis and limit tree growth.
Trees adapt to low-light conditions by changing their morphology. They may develop larger, thinner leaves to capture more light or initiate etiolation, a phenomenon where stems elongate and foliage is sparse. This change, however, makes trees weaker and more prone to damage. Trees in heavily shaded urban areas may grow slower and produce fewer leaves.
• Water availability—Water is crucial to tree growth. It can fuel tree growth. Less water, however, can stunt tree growth. Chronic water problems can limit development and shorten their lifespan. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns in New England, with projections showing more frequent and intense rainfall and periods of drought, making trees more susceptible to pests and disease.

Trees with less water may close their stomata to conserve water and limit photosynthesis. Some trees may prioritize root growth to access water deeper in the soil profile. Others may develop smaller, thicker leaves with waxy cuticles to reduce water loss or shed leaves early to conserve water during dry periods.

• Temperature—The freeze-thaw cycle in New England affects the length of the growing season and the timing of key tree events like budburst and leaf fall. The cycle also hurts tree growth. Meanwhile, climate change brings warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons to our area. While this may initially benefit some tree species, it also creates challenges.

New England is America’s second-most urbanized area, with more than 80% of its people living in cities. While cities provide New England residents with many benefits, they also experience higher-than-average temperatures and more intense heat extremes. A 2020 study, for example, showed that average temperatures in Providence’s less-vegetated neighborhoods could be more than 12 degrees hotter than well-vegetated areas like the city’s East Side. The increase is likely the result of the urban heat island effect (UHI).

Climate change often worsens the UHI effect, creating hot spots in cities lacking sufficient tree canopy density. As global temperatures rise because of climate change, a city’s baseline temperature increases, intensifying the already elevated conditions. Climate change also increases the frequency of heat waves, further intensifying the effect. Trees, however, are a natural solution to mitigating UHI. They help combat UHI by increasing a city’s canopy density, creating a cooler, more comfortable environment.

Factors Impacting the UHI Effect

Cities often become hotter than surrounding rural areas due to replacing natural land cover with heat-absorbing surfaces like pavement and buildings. These surfaces soak up solar radiation and release it as heat during the day, raising urban temperatures. Other factors influencing UHI include reduced vegetation/green spaces, city traffic, air conditioning, tall buildings, and narrow streets.

These factors can have profound effects on cities and urban residents, including:

• Increased energy consumption
• Elevated air pollution levels
• Higher heat-related illnesses
• Increased respiratory issues
• Decreased quality of life
• Increased infrastructure risk
• Increased ground-level ozone (smog)

UHI impacts those with the least access to financial resources and those dealing with additional health conditions more than other groups. For instance, seniors, children, and those with per-existing conditions are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. It also impacts poorer communities, often with less green space and more heat-absorbing surfaces.

Keep in mind that average temperatures in some areas, however, vary from year to year. Even within a city, temperatures vary depending on proximity to the coast, green spaces, and the urban heat island effect. Plus, the Northeast can be pretty humid in the summer. Meanwhile, climate change isn’t helping.

Combating Urban Heating Island Effect

Combining UHI starts with having sufficient tree canopy—the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees covering the ground when viewed from above. It provides various cooling mechanisms that help reduce UHI, including evapotranspiration. This process triggers water uptake by roots and releases it through leaves, cooling the surrounding air and lowering ambient temperatures. A sufficient tree canopy also blocks solar radiation, reduces the heat absorbed by surfaces, alters wind patterns to provide cooling breezes, and reduces the surface temperature of pavements and roofs, among other things.

Tree canopy is a crucial component of urban planning. Some cities, however, lack sufficient canopy density. Tree canopy density in Warwick, Pawtucket, and Cranston, for instance, ranges from about 20% to 30%. Providence’s is more than 27%, with 3,221 acres of land and more than 415,000 trees. What’s the ideal canopy density? In the past, it was thought that 40% was the ideal goal density. Today, sufficient tree canopy depends on the context. What’s ideal for a desert city will differ from that of a city in a forested region.

Strategic Steps in Confronting UHI

The combined effects of UHI and climate change generate more intense heat waves and higher average temperatures in cities, boosting health risks and increasing energy consumption. As in Providence, increased investment in urban forestry initiatives is a key strategy for creating more resilient and sustainable cities in the face of climate change. Below are some steps cities can take to combat UHI.

• Species selection—Choose tree species that adapt well to the urban environment (e.g., drought-tolerant and pollution-resistant). Selecting tree species with large canopies and high evapotranspiration rates is critical. Key species include white oak, red maple, river birch, Gingko biloba, American hornbeam, Sweetbay magnolia, and Serviceberry.

• Tree Placement and Planting Design—This step requires strategic planting near buildings, streets, and other heat-generating surfaces. The goal is to create “urban forests” or green corridors to maximize cooling benefits.

• Urban Forest Management—Proper tree care, including watering, pruning, and pest management, ensures tree health and longevity. Community involvement in urban forestry initiatives also helps. See RI Tree’s website for more information on tree care.

The Urban Heat Island effect is a real challenge for some cities. Climate change isn’t making things any easier for these cities. Now is a good time to start thinking about combating these phenomena by increasing tree canopy. However, how much tree canopy you’ll need depends on where you live. Don’t focus on a specific percentage for tree canopy. Instead, assess your city’s needs, set realistic goals, focus on equitable tree distribution, and prioritize tree health.

Understanding the UHI effect, however, can lessen its impact on urban residents and the surrounding environment. Mitigating UHI is crucial for creating more sustainable and comfortable cities. Strategies like planting trees, using reflective materials, and designing buildings for better ventilation can help combat this growing problem.

For more information on how to boost tree canopy, feel free to contact one of our consultants at RI Tree.org.

Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” is proof that books can change the world. Published in 1962, this classic alerted us to the dangers of pesticides, especially DDT. Carson’s thorough research on the harm DDT and other synthetic pesticides were doing to the environment and her emphasis on the interconnectedness of ecosystems make it a must-read for anyone who wants to make a difference with trees.

Carson makes a compelling case. Using science and facts, she shows that pesticides poison wildlife, contaminate food chains, and generate unforeseen consequences. She also argues for a more responsible and sustainable approach to environmental management and that the indiscriminate use of pesticides would create resistant pests that would require even more toxic chemicals.

The book changed the U.S. It sparked a national conversation, led to changes in DDT policy in the U.S., and inspired the modern environmental movement. But most importantly it brought attention to the dangers of pesticides. It was a powerful and influential book that challenged the idea of human dominance over nature and helped launch the environmental era.

Below are nine other books that have impacted society:

1. “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben: This book revolutionized public perception of trees, showcasing their complex social and emotional lives. It sparked a global interest in forest ecology and inspired a greater appreciation for the intricate workings of these vital organisms.
2. “The Nature and Properties of Soils” by N.M. Comber: Though not solely focused on trees, this book significantly advanced our understanding of soil science, a crucial factor in tree health and growth. Its impact on agricultural practices has indirectly benefited tree care and forest management.
3. “Arboriculture: Care of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in the Landscape” by Michael Dirr: A foundational text in arboriculture, this book has educated generations of arborists and tree care professionals. Its comprehensive approach has significantly improved tree care practices worldwide.
4. “The Tree Expert” by John M. Harris: This classic text provides in-depth information on tree identification, physiology, pathology, and care practices. Its comprehensive information and practical advice make it an invaluable resource for both professional arborists and home gardeners, empowering them with the knowledge they need to care for trees effectively.
5. “The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees” by Douglas W. Tallamy: This book delves into the profound ecological significance of oak trees, highlighting their crucial role in supporting a diverse array of wildlife and their vital contributions to healthy ecosystems.
6. “The Urban Forest Ecosystem: A Guide to the Science and Practice of Urban Forestry” by Gary Moll: This book explores the ecological principles of urban forests and provides insights into the management and conservation of trees in urban environments.
7. “The Tree Climber’s Companion” by Jeff Jepson: This book is a valuable resource for arborists and tree climbers, covering essential skills and techniques for safely and efficiently working in trees, including climbing methods, rigging, and safety precautions.
8. “The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giono: This fictional novella, though not a scientific treatise, has had a profound cultural impact. It inspired countless individuals to engage in reforestation efforts and fostered a deeper connection between humans and the natural world, including trees.
9. “The Overstory” by Richard Powers: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the interconnectedness of humans and trees through a powerful and moving narrative. It has brought renewed attention to the importance of forests and inspired a new generation of environmental advocates.
   This list offers a diverse selection of books to suit different interests and levels of expertise. Whether you’re a casual tree lover or a professional arborist, these books can deepen your understanding and appreciation of these magnificent organisms.

RI Tree Announces Site for Arbor Day 2025

RI Tree recently announced the date and site for its Arbor Day 2025 celebration, which will be held at the Providence Country Day (PCD) School, East Providence, RI, on April 25th, starting at 11:00 a.m. The event includes a tree-planting ceremony on PCD grounds, lunch, speakers, and a Tree City USA Awards presentation to the host communities. Tulips, London planes, and elm trees will also be planted on PCD’s grounds as part of a school reforestation effort.
This year’s celebration will be the state’s 138th. Arbor Day recognizes the importance of trees, which provide numerous benefits to residents, including purifying the air, helping cool the earth, boosting property values, and soothing the human psyche. Trees also beautify where we live, work, and play and slow and absorb stormwater, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in annual flood damage and treatment costs.
For more details or questions about this year’s Arbor Day, contact RITree at 401-764-5885 or email ritree@ritree.org.