Forests are good for you. They filter fine dust and gases from the air, produce several tonnes of oxygen a year, regulate the climate, protect biodiversity and are said to have a health-promoting effect on the human body and psyche. The list of benefits of the forest organism is long and yet in some places there are only a few of them. Germany consists of about 32 per cent consists of forest. However, the forest areas are not evenly distributed. For example, the air in cities is not as healthy as in the countryside. Since 2019, however, there has been a global (forest) movement in large cities, which has recently also found favour in Germany.
Tiny forests with a big effect
The Tiny Forest method was originally conceived by the Japanese biologist Akira Miyawaki. He developed the planting method especially for large cities. There are few green areas, few trees and, above all, little space. Between individual buildings or abandoned plots of land, the Tiny Forest makes all the difference in grey cities: the micro-habitat supports the climate, gives numerous animals and insects a long-term home and improves the air quality and water retention capacity of the soil. Tiny Forests can also regulate hot and dry temperatures in large cities. As a natural sound barrier, they are also particularly effective against continuous city noise.
How is a Tiny Forest created?
For the method to be successful, a few basic conditions must be met. At least 600 different tree species are planted on a minimum area of at least 200 square metres (approximately a tennis court), so there is room for at least three plants on one square metre. Due to the high level of competition in the immediate vicinity, the plants grow faster than others in conventional forests. The most important thing for a successful Tiny Forest is loose and permeable soil. In addition, the micro-habitat must not be disturbed by paths and must only be accessible to people to a limited extent.
But is a Tiny Forest like this high-maintenance? Yes and no. In the long term, the small forests should be as self-sufficient as possible and manage without any external care. However, in the initial period (2 to 3 years), the young plants need to be protected from drying out and frost, especially in our climate zone. This means that the greenery must be watered and protected from strong sunlight with straw, for example.
However, more and more cities are realising that the effort is worth it. In 2021, for example, the cities of Essen, Bochum, Brandenburg, Munich and Darmstadt planted small forests.
And what about the large forests in Germany?
Of course, Germany's large forests also have a positive impact on the environment as a whole. Forest management based on controlled sustainable forestry is particularly important. In order to protect the ecosystem, only as many trees are felled as can grow back in the future. This means that there is always an even plant density, which maintains the forest itself and constantly supports the climate and biodiversity.
Wood: a valuable raw material
For GARANT, wood is the most valuable raw material. That is why it is particularly important to us to use it consciously and sustainably. Accordingly, our doors come from responsible and local forestry. That is why they bear theFSC®andPEFCOur tip: You can also look out for these seals on other products - such as packaging, paper or interior furniture - and do something good for our climate with your purchase.
Discover here more sustainable products made from wood. Find out more here more about our sustainability concept.
