Our Model Woodland

History and Purpose

• The Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) began to plant native trees, shrubs, and perennial groundcovers in a 2100 sq. ft plot along the Oak Trail in October 2023.
• Named “Our Model Woodland” (OMW), it provides a demonstration of an ecologically functioning habitat that will attract and support native birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, spiders, fungi, and other organisms.
• The native woody plants and perennials were chosen for their ability to produce seeds, nuts, berries, nectar, pollen, and foliage for our wildlife.
• The project’s intent is to inspire similar plantings and enhance the ecological function and beauty of the Foulkeways campus.
• Volunteers from ESC installed the original native plants and continue to add additional plants. They also monitor the growth and health of the plants and provide on-going care.
• The plants, including the groundcovers, are planted densely to enhance the health of the plantings, reduce the need for ongoing maintenance, and offer increased biodiversity.
• As of spring 2025, ESC volunteers have planted the following:
  • Canopy trees
    • Prunus serotina, black cherry
    • Quercus alba, white oak
  • Understory trees
    • Amelanchier canadensis, serviceberry
    • Carpinus Americana, hornbeam
    • Cornus florida, flowering dogwood
    • Ilex opaca, American holly
    • Sassafras albium, Sassafras
  • Shrubs
    • Aesculus parviflora, bottlebush buckeye
    • Calycanthus floridus, Carolina allspice
    • Ilex verticillata, winterberry holly
    • Lindera benzoin, spicebush
    • Viburnum acerfolium, mapleleaf viburnum
    • V. dentatum, black haw viburnum
  • Groundcovers
    • Carex amphibola, creek sedge
    • Heuchera americana, alumroot
    • Packera aurea, golden ragwort
    • Polystichum acrostichoides, Christmas fern
    • Tiarella cordifolia, foamflower
• Several native trees were previously growing in this area: Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud), Chionanthus virginicus (fringe tree), and Magnolia virginiana (sweet bay magnolia). They and the non-native flowering cherries were planted earlier.
•  This is an educational project to demonstrate a healthy native plant habitat. It can be replicated elsewhere on the Foulkeways campus including public spaces and courtyards. Many of the plants, particularly the smaller shrubs, perennials, and ferns can be used in residents’ patio gardens.
•  Please contact the Foulkeways Residents’ Association if interested in volunteering to support this ESC project or other efforts to enhance Foulkeways’ natural environment and conserve our planet’s resources.
• This project was originally inspired by the Miyawaki Tiny Forest movement. In small plots in urban areas around the world, the soil is significantly enriched and then planted densely with native woodland species. The plants grow quickly and provide habitat for wildlife and places for people to enjoy nature.

TED Talk, Shubhendu Sharma, An engineer’s vision for tiny forests, everywhere

More to come…