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Pocket Forests
Pocket Forests
The concept of a pocket forest, sometimes called a mini-forest or superclump, was developed by Japanese botanist Akiri Miyawaki and involves planting dense hot spots of super-high diversity. This special approach to reforestation involves four complementary levels: canopy, understory, shrubs and ground covers. The increased density can promote faster growth as species compete with one another to reach sunlight.
Two pocket forests have been installed in Montebello's woodlands.
Pocket Forest 1, between trail markers 17 and 18, installed 2022-2023
Species list includes each layer, and a layout map (2
Tree and leaf illustrations help you learn the species
Pocket Forest 2, between trail markers 40 and 41, installed 2025-2026
Species list in each layer, as planned (not yet complete)
Planting diagram, as planned (zoom in for detail)
Woodland Regenerative Planting Plan Map shows the original master plan
Articles about our pocket forests in the Times of Montebello
December 2025 -- Pocket Forest #2 Augments Our Woodland Regeneration
April 2024 -- Celebrating Arbor Day in our Pocket Forest
November 2023 -- Celebrating our Pocket Forest
July 2023 -- Pocket Forest Planting is Complete
November 2022 -- Installation Completed for Montebello's Pocket Forest
October 2022 -- Pocket Forest Update - Learning from the Experts
April 2022 -- Montebello's Pocket Forest Site Chosen
March 2022 -- Arbor Day Program's Innovative Next Step: The Pocket Forest
Arbor Day Tree Donation Program, 2018-2022
Arbor Day Tree Donation Program, 2018-2022
From 2018 through 2022, the Grounds Committee organized an Arbor Day Tree Donation Program as a chance for the Montebello community to participate in caring for our wonderful forest. Arbor Day, a celebration of tree planting, was founded in 1872, and is observed on the last Friday in April. Since we prefer to plant trees in the fall, we used Arbor Day as a kick-off for fund-raising for fall planting. This allowed us to order the tree stock months in advance of planting to get the best selection. Montebello residents choose from a list of native species to be planted in designated woodland locations.
Thanks to donations from residents and friends, hundreds of trees were planted, adding to the diversity and beauty of Montebello's woodlands.
2022 - Pocket Forests #1 & 2
2022 - Pocket Forests #1 & 2
Funds raised not only paid for Pocket Forest 1, but also seeded installation of Pocket Forest 2
2021
2021
152 trees of eighteen species were planted in fall 2021.
81 trees were donated by Montebello donors.
MCUOA provided a match to nearly double the number of trees planted.
Watch the April 2021 fundraising launch event
A 4-minute video introduced the program and acknowledges past donors.
The full 50-minute event webinar is also available.
2020
2020
Fifty-five trees funded by Montebello donors
The Association provided a match to double the number of trees planted.
Trees planted in fall 2020: 110. Photos document the planting.
The 2020 Arbor Day program was coordinated by the Grounds Committee.
2018
2018
Thirteen species were planted October 2018
Eighty trees were donated by Montebello donors.
This map shows the locations of 80 trees planted.
More than 100 Montebello residents, together with Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, gathered October 20, 2018, to ceremonially plant a flowering dogwood tree to celebrate the first year of Montebello's Arbor Day Tree Donation Program
Montbello Woodlands
Fun Facts
Montbello Woodlands
Fun Facts
Montebello has roughly 20 acres of forest.
More that 2,000 trees of more than 40 species have been tagged in our Tree Inventory.
The largest trees in each species are shown in a map.
One chestnut oak, estimated to be the oldest tree at Montebello, may date back to the 1700s.
Hundreds of trees have been planted as a result of Montebello's Arbor Day Tree Donation Program.
Native Trees
Native Trees
All trees being planted in Montebello's woodlands are native and of local ecotypes. Native trees have evolved alongside other plants and animals in the ecosystem. They have adapted to handle this area's weather and to support native butterflies, birds, and other critters.
For more background information, see the articles listed below.
Other Woodland Planting Projects
Other Woodland Planting Projects
Replanting Areas Denuded by the Erosion Work
Replanting Areas Denuded by the Erosion Work
In early spring 2020, Montebello undertook a project to plant ground covers along the sides of the drainageways in the woodland. In the fall of 2020, trees were added as a result of Arbor Day fundraising.
Oak Planting, Fall 2019
Oak Planting, Fall 2019
This little 3" high sapling, poking up in front of the large tan leaf, would not be noticeable if it were not for the flag labeled "CO" next to it. This is a baby chestnut oak, planted in fall 2019, along with some white oak (WO) and red oak (RO) saplings, over 80 in all. With no watering or deer protection, many will not survive, but some will grow to augment our forest in decades to come.
Reference Material
Reference Material
PlantNOVANatives.org (website)
Native Plants for Northern Virginia (PDF)
Articles in the Montebello Times and elsewhere
Articles in the Montebello Times and elsewhere
November 2021 -- Arbor Day Trees: Planting for Posterity
October 2021 -- Arbor Day Tree Planting is Underway
August 2021 -- Grounds Committee Recognizes Arbor Day Program Donors
July 2021 -- Arbor Day Donation Drive Sets new Record
June 2021 -- Arbor Day Donations Program Deadline is June 14
May 2021 -- Arbor Day Tree Donation Program Welcomes Your Support
April 2021 -- 2021 Arbor Day Tree Donation Program Kicks Off
Fort Hunt Herald and Mount Vernon Gazette
October 21, 2018 Ceremonial tree planting caps Montebello reforestation initiative
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