Champlain Park Native Tiny Forest

Why we started a Native Tiny Forest

Native trees support native biodiversity (insects, birds, mammals) by providing them with food sources and habitat they recognize and prefer. Non-native trees don’t do this as well, and can be invasive.

A “Tiny Forest” is a high-density, high-diversity forest in an urban environment. The density and diversity balances cooperation and competition among plants that root at different depths and grow to different heights. Density also encourages vertical growth rather than spreading branches. Overall, a Tiny Forest grows faster than a normal native forest.

The two sites (east end of Pontiac Avenue and across from Champlain Park) were selected to create a green sound and light barrier and bring native biodiversity into the woodlands.

How we created the Tiny Forest

1. With support from the Champlain Park Community Association and the City of Ottawa, and permission from the National Capital Commission, we prepared two Native Tiny Forest sites along Pontiac Avenue. This involved a lot of digging by the

2. Bare root saplings of native species from the Ferguson Tree Nursery and local backyard nurseries were planted and watered all summer, with the help of dedicated student volunteers.

Representative species we planted are:

• Canopy trees: Silver Maple, Red Oak, Butternut, Burr Oak, American Basswood

• Small trees: Tamarack, Pin Cherry, Chokecherry, Serviceberry

• Shrubs: Highbush Cranberry, Nannyberry, Red Osier Dogwood, Pagoda Dogwood

East Tiny Forest, planted Spring, 2021 (120 Trees)

West Tiny Forest, planted fall, 2021 (40 Trees)