Forests are not deserted pieces of land, rendering home to a variety of flora and fauna. Forests are an integral part of our existence. We are aware of the essential role trees play in the healthy well-being of humans. Despite this significance, we witness millions of hectares of these life-giving trees being cleared every year. Deforestation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and the forests are still being cleared to be used for ranching, logging, construction concerning urbanization
In recent times, we have been aware of the work of the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, assisted by naturalist Subhendu Sharma to build a forest in the backyard of his house in 2010. The thriving lush greens were often accompanied by birds. The plants acted as a welcome shade and the roots were able to absorb abundant monsoon rains. Within a year he managed to expand a forest.
To attain density, the space should be filled with trees and shrubs of varying heights. A tiny forest is a long-term, cost-effective alternative to a traditional lawn. Not only is it appealing to the eyes as the trees are beautiful but also works as a great natural filter by absorbing carbon dioxide. Forest cover also acts as an effective noise buffer and a sponge for air pollution and particulate matter. Planting trees that are native to your region has specific benefits. Since they’re already adapted to the climate, they require significantly less maintenance than many other non-native species. Native trees also create a welcoming environment for the indigenous wildlife — birds, and insects — to thrive. Early studies indicate that these dense forests may be the key to restoring biodiversity at levels comparable to natural forests.
There are various steps one should keep in mind while growing plants in the backyard.
1) Nurture the soil.
2) Healthy soil is the root of a healthy forest. One needs to source various types of biomass, and organic matter, that can make your soil moist, nutrition-rich, and porous, that roots can penetrate it easily.
3) Make a list of all native species in your area. Visit the nearest nursery and buy the native saplings with an ideal height between 60-80 centimetres.
4) It has to have a flexible nature. When you crush it, it should come back to its original shape. These characteristics are important to help support the roots of your trees. Instead of adding nutrients or artificial fertilizers, the Afforestt technique adds microorganisms. Compost tea is a microbe-rich nutrient broth, which is diluted and added to the soil. These fungi and microbes grow and support the root network to allow trees to grow quickly and collectively. While more studies are needed to better understand the properties of a compost tea, you can add regular compost, which is also beneficial to soil health.
Make sure to fill a space with trees and shrubs of varying heights.
Plant your seedlings — but don’t forget the mulch.
The goal of achieving a dense forest is to arrange the landscape in a beneficial ratio of layers. The exact ratio of these layers depends on the region of residence. The most successful forests will mimic the composition of the natural environments found in your area. For a multi-layered process, one needs to select different species of plants like the shrub layer, subtree layer, and dense canopy layer. Do not place the same species next to each other. What accelerates the stage for rapid growth is the density of your layers. As trees grow, they communicate through fungal networks that protect against disease and provide nutrients to one another. Similarly, Mulch plays a vital role in protecting the ecosystem below the soil against harsh environmental conditions — by providing a breathable, protective blanket over the soil for all seasons. Ensure smooth and quick perforation of water to the roots by using biomass that is both spongy and also dry like rice or wheat husk. Add some water and moisture retainer, like coco peat or sugarcane bagasse.
Tend for a few years: Dig a one-meter-deep pit and plant 3-5 native saplings per square meter. Maintain a distance of 60 centimetres between the saplings and level the soil around the stem of the plant.
Insert sticks: To ensure that plants do not bend in the initial stage one should ensure sticks to the soil. This is to provide external support for the plant to attain desirable height.
Check the plants for weeds regularly for one or two years. Check it for improvement and changes and take notes to ensure the right aid is provided to plants according to their needs.
Written by Poonam Chatterjee
Week 41 October 2021
