Rapidly gaining global popularity this will be the first Mini Forest at a Zoo in the United States! This project at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will create a small, yet powerful native habitat for flora and fauna that will benefit the local ecosystem and the zoo’s over 1 million annual visitors alike.

We are grateful to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for their partnership and this very important project. Expect planting to take place September 26 and 27, 2024.

Please consider a Donation to Rooted in Trees. If you Donate at $1,000 or more we will send you a beautiful Coffee Table book on  produced by the Smithsonian.

Our Mini Forest will be approximately 276 yards in total and located close to the popular tiger exhibit. Once completed, it will offer a full sensory experience for visitors, providing a shady area with picnic tables for families and visitors alike.

Essentially, after remediation of the current land, we will be planting 3 to 4 trees or shrubs per square yard. We will be planning a canopy layer, tree layer, sub tree layer, and a shrub layer all within the 276 square yards. The overall dimension of the Mini Forest and the protection fence will be approximately 50’  X  60’. We are honored to have the Urban Community School’s  8th graders actually do the planting with assistance from The Holden Arboretum’s Tree Corp.

The concept of a Mini Forest was popularized by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki  PhD, who developed a method for creating dense, native forests that grow quickly and require minimal maintenance. Ecological impact will be achieved by boosting biodiversity, access to a new green space,  promoting health and well-being, enhancing urban life, and offering strong water management. The Mini Forest will grow at a very rapid rate.

We are passionate about revitalizing northern Ohio’s tree canopy. And no better place to build the Mini Forest than the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

See ClevelandZoosociety.org/donate or Call (216) 635-3368

Rooted in Trees is partnering with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (and Co-managed with ODNR’s division of Natural Areas and Preserves) to plant a total of 23 future canopy trees in the NE corner of the Marsh. 

This area in the NE  section of the Marsh is near the  Morton Salt mine. From time to time  salt crystals can become airborne and land in the Marsh. Establishing a mature line of hardwood trees in this  section is an effort to reduce the airborne invasion of salt into the Marsh. Once planted and established, these  trees will complete “a ring” around the Marsh.  The newly planted trees will also help anchor the erosion from the ever-changing water levels.

The following trees have been selected to handle wet conditions and yet survive drought conditions as well. 

• Swamp White Oak (Quercus   bicolor) 
• Sycamore (cultivar Scioto)
• Autumn Blaze Maple
• Celebration Maple
• Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) 
• *23 trees in total will be planted*

Additional Mentor Marsh information:

Designated as a national natural landmark in 1966, it occupies an ancient abandoned channel of the Grand River and is  next-door to Headlands Beach State Park, a 35 acre beach gem! It was also the first site to be dedicated as a State Nature Preserve.

Mentor Marsh is one of the largest (800 acres) and natural marshes  remaining along the Lake Erie shoreline. Today it  is one of the most species rich sites on the Great  Lakes shoreline. It is also a National Audubon Society important birding area.

A major restoration effort is currently underway, led by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The goal is to remove and contain the aggressive non-native common reed (Phragmites australis) and restore the Marsh and swamp forest that once dominated the basin. CMNH has been quite successful thus far in not only removing the invasive plant material, but native species of both plant and wildlife are now returning and flourishing.

www.cmnh.org

There are approximately 30 red oak trees planted on both sides of Route 615 leading into Kirtland Hills off
I-90. The trees were not planted or mulched properly by the original contractor.
We partnered with Bartlett Tree and with an air knife provided by them we rejuvenated all the red oak trees and it surrounds. Girdled roots were identified and removed and new mulch added.

In addition, the larger project was to plant a number of future hardwood canopy trees alongside Chillicothe Road adjacent to the large field in the center of the Village.

Partners:

• Bartlett Tree Expert Company 
• Klyn Nurseries
• Kirtland Hills Service Department

This is a long term project over many years building out a Master Plan for Tree Planting at The Castalia Trout Club and The Sessler Conifer Grove also located at the Club.

Canopy trees are being added to this old trout club which maintains the famous Blue Hole on property for the enjoyment of the members and their guests. As the club is closing in on 150 years many canopy trees on the property have died or are in the process of decay. The Master Plan has identified locations for future canopy trees to be planted near or alongside the beautiful 7 mile trout stream. These trees will provide shade over the stream and erosion control. As of 2024 close to 50 trees have been planted.

The Sessler Conifer Grove named in honor of the former General Manager is being built out. It will be a diversified grove of conifers in the field in front of the clubhouse.

Partners:

• Castalia Trout Club staff
• Willoway Nursery
• Paul Abbey

The library made a decision to remove all the crabapples on their property facing Mentor Avenue. It was decided to replace these with six 2 1/2 inch caliper future canopy trees. Crabapples were removed and holes were dug the day before actual planting. The library invited parents and children for the planting day. Even a Best Essay contest was conducted with the winners announced the day of planting.

Additionally, several Holden Fairchild lilacs were planted alongside the parking lot serving as a screen.

Partners:

• Bartlett Tree Expert Company
• Klyn Nurseries
• Library staff

The Village wanted to continue with essentially the same tree planting project that began several years ago alongside the large field in the center of the village.
A number of maple trees were lost over the years necessitating a continuation of the new tree planting program.
Our suggestion was to continue with the same program of planting large (2 1/2” caliper) future canopy trees of different varieties. Most of the trees were cut into large root balls at the nursery and on average were 16’ high. Particular attention was given to staking the trees for harsh winds and protecting these young trees from foraging deer of which there are many in the village.

Partners:

• Klyn Nurseries
• Holden Arboretum Tree Corp
• Kirtland Hills Service Department

Following discussions with the Parks district, it was decided to make improvements at the major trailhead at the base of Orchard Hill. This entire site was a former golf course.

Project included, removing several large trees and shrubs, creating space for a dozen or so future hardwood canopy trees. Park members along with children were invited to attend the planting day. An educational and demonstration program was held outlining the project, and discussing the benefits of trees. Children were invited to assist in the planting of several trees.

• Bartlett Tree Expert Company
• Klyn Nurseries
• Geauga Parks Personnel

The new exciting Equestrian Center at Lake Erie College was built with little landscaping around the perimeter. We identified a few small trees that needed to be removed or pruned and identified locations around the building to plant a number of trees. In addition we introduced trees for shade and erosion control along the parking lot.

A number of future canopy trees were added at College Hall and alongside the Austin Hall of Science where we also established a new Grove of Trees.

Partners:

• Bartlett Tree Expert Co
• Klyn Nurseries
• Lake Erie College students
• Holden Arboretum’s Tree Corp