Jolimont Primary Forest
A green lung for 'The Pink City'.
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Trees
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Native Species
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Youth Impacted
Self sustaining pocket forest
At Jolimont, we planted 600 trees in February 2022 and another 600 in January 2023, both times with the help of local children and residents over two joyful planting days. The first plantation faced severe droughts in June and July 2022, and we had to water twice to prevent major losses. In contrast, June 2023 was wet and sunny, allowing the second wave of trees to catch up in growth. Some species have exceeded expectations - Viburnum lantana reached two meters in just 2.5 years, double its typical growth rate. Fraxinus and maples also passed 2.5 meters, as expected.
By August 2025, we observed that roughly one tree every two meters had dried out, while surrounding trees remained green and healthy. This pattern may point to a form of resource redistribution common in densely planted ecosystems, where root networks or microclimate effects allow some individuals to support others under stress. The dried individuals included Viburnum lantana, Cornus sanguinea, and Sambucus nigra - yet others of the same species remained vigorous, highlighting variability in resilience even within species. While all trees showed some heat stress over the hot summers, overall survival remains encouraging. Insect activity was also low due to the heat but lizards have been observed within the forest.
The pupils are enjoying the forest, with it being integrated into their learning and play. One educational activity included the pupils hanging tree name tags on the forest. Still, some challenges remain, such as cats and dogs accessing the forest and disturbing the undergrowth. To mitigate this, a protective fence is being introduced in 2026 to allow the pocket forest to continue to thrive.
Forest Maker
Micro-forêts Toulouse
Ecosystem Restored
Final report: 31.08.2025
After approximately three years our SUGi Pocket Forests become self-sustaining. They no longer require human maintenance or watering, and can be handed over to Nature for biodiversity and complexity to naturally develop.
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People living within 300 meters
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kg of potential CO2 sequestration
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
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Urban Heat Profile
The Urban Heat Island Effect is affecting cities more and more each year and temperatures in urban areas can go up to 12 degrees hotter. This can be reduced and prevented by planting urban forests like this. We collected the air temperatures on an unusually hot day in August at Heritage Forest and saw amazing results.
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Surface Temperature Difference
“Let's sow, plant without fear, there are no bad seeds. All plants contribute to the fight against global warming!”
Elisabeth Guillabert, Lead Project Volunteer
Forest Report: 2024
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
This forest was planted in two phases - in January 2023, and in June 2022. While the trees initially grew at different paces due to a drought in July of 2022 and heavy rains in June of 2023, the growth is now overall uniform, with trees planted in either phase having similar heights.
Biodiversity Notes:
Forest Report: 2023
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
The second plantation, planted one year after the first, didn't suffer from drought during the first 6 months and benefited from the first plantation, so it grew quickly. Some elders and maples are already 2 meters high and Ash monophyllous and cherry wood are 1.50 meters high. The drought of later August and September tempered this growth and even dried some trees of this second plantation, whereas the first plantation resisted better. Moreover, the common enemy is the bindweed which we tried to deter. The ambrosia invaded this second part and not the high grass as in the first part.
Biodiversity Notes:
Forest Report: 2022
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
Jolimont Primary Forest is yet another example of the resilience of the Miyawaki method, specifically in the case of drought. The forest certainly suffered due to the heat of summer 2022 but overall, it held up very well and survival rate is excellent. The forest benefited from 4 hours of watering on July 7 and July 26 from a water tank, then 2 hours of watering on August 8 just before the watering ban. In mid-August, around thirty dry trees were counted, and by the end of September, after one or two showers, a few dry trees were growing back from the base. The Norwegian maple (Acer platanoides) is the tallest species currently.
Mushrooms have been observed in the forest - mushrooms are the fruit of underground fungal hyphae forming and a sign of important initial fungal colonisation in the soil.
This pocket forest is a real joy within the school community and for local people. The school pupils who planted these trees proudly show off their work to their families, whilst local residents are also increasingly coming to take a look at the forest. It is becoming a real community hub.
Biodiversity Notes:
Planting: February 2022
Other Forests Nearby
Astaffort School Forest
Creating an Outdoor Classroom in Astaffort, France.
Rion Des Landes College
Cultivating greenery and tranquility for children in a treeless environment.
Umane Forest
Bringing together the joy of children and Nature.
