05/15/2026
Trees Knoxville will hosted a community microforest planting event at Inskip Recreation Center this past Tuesday! The installation is part of a Cooperative Agreement between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Trees Knoxville, with additional support from the Knoxville Garden Club, the University of Tennessee’s Herbert College of Agriculture, Professor Jennifer Franklin (Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries), the City of Knoxville, and Carex Design Group.
The Inskip Recreation Center microforest will serve as a living demonstration site for long-term ecological benefits, educational programming, and community engagement. Once established, the forest will require minimal maintenance over the first three years after installation and will quickly mature into a sustainable and resilient native ecosystem that supports Knoxville’s broader urban canopy goals.
The Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, is a scientifically grounded reforestation technique that uses carefully selected native species planted at high density. By mimicking natural forest structure and layering, these microforests develop quickly. They often grow up to ten times faster than conventional plantings, and can become self-sustaining within just a few years.
Unlike traditional tree plantings, Miyawaki microforests emphasize biodiversity and soil restoration from the outset. Multiple native species are planted closely together to recreate the structure of a mature forest, including canopy trees, understory species, shrubs, and groundcover plants. This density encourages rapid vertical growth, increases carbon storage potential, improves stormwater absorption, and creates habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
The Inskip Recreation Center microforest will serve as a living demonstration site for long-term ecological benefits, educational programming, and community engagement. Once established, the forest will require minimal maintenance over the first three-years after installation and will quickly mature into a sustainable and resilient native ecosystem that supports Knoxville’s broader urban canopy goals.
