Community Tree Planting

Gosport Borough Council has received funding through the Hampshire Forest Partnership to plant around 1,600 new trees and shrubs in Elson Park and Recreation Ground, to create a new 'mini forest'.

Planting mini forests is strongly supported by the Council, as they contribute towards mitigating the effects of climate change and provide new natural environments with benefits for wildlife and biodiversity. The mini forest also supports Hampshire County Council's pledge to have a million new trees planted across the county by 2050.

Up to 10 different species of trees and shrubs will be planted in early 2025 to encourage biodiversity - including Hazel, Field Maple, Cherry Plum, Sweet Chestnut, Crab Apple, Goat Willow and Whitebeam. 

Mini forests, also called Miyawaki forests, are created using a planting technique that quickly establishes an entire forest ecosystem that's about the size of a tennis court. It's particularly suited to urban or semi-urban settings where there's a lack of space for larger woodlands and the soil is often degraded. The mini forests can help restore the soil biome and improve soil carbon sequestration.

With the Miyawaki method, trees grow up to ten times faster. As they are planted close together this allows the plant community to support itself, as well as being more resilient to disease, drought and climate change impacts.

If you have any further enquiries or would like to report an issue, please contact streetscene@gosport.gov.uk