Plant Matters
by Ida Wye
In conversation with Dianne Plantamura about the rewilding of Veasey Park in Groveland, Mass. Diane is a board member of Friends of Veasey Park and the founder of Veasey’s Native Plant Gardens.
Dianne often walked her dog throughout Veasey Park and observed areas that had become overgrown, needed restoration and additional plantings. Dianne became a Master Gardener in 1994 and in 2011 organized the planning and implementation of a native plant garden to demonstrate the value of native plant ecosystems to the public. Her goal was to create a living system composed of native trees, shrubs, and flowers. With the help of a team of volunteers, numerous invasive plants were removed, the compacted and depleted soil was cultivated and revitalized, and the native plants were planted. This area was so overgrown that, while removing invasive vines, Dianne discovered a mature crab apple tree that was hidden by a thicket of formidable invasive vines that had completely engulfed it. Later, three Eastern Red Bud trees were planted and were soon draped in Bittersweet vines. Dianne and her team quickly rescued the Red Buds and vanquished the offending Bittersweet. But Dianne was only beginning…
In 2022 she submitted an application to the Groveland Conservation Commission to use CPA funds for the rewilding project of Veasey Park. The plan was to establish a Miyawaki forest beginning in 2023. Initially, invasive vines and Norway Maples were removed, from approximately 9000 square feet, filling six dump trucks and rescuing two hidden American Elm tress. The area was successfully cleared and 4500 square feet was cultivated for planting.
Hang on. ”Exactly what is a Miyawaki forest?” Well here goes…
The Miyawaki method is an afforestation technique invented in the 1970s by the Japanese Botanist, Akira Miyawaki. These small, densely planted – 1 plant per 18 inches – native forest ecosystems grow: 10x faster, 30x denser, 100x more biodiversity, and 16x more carbon sequestration than a conventionally planted forest.
The Miyawaki forest in Veasey Park was planted in April 2024 by 160 volunteers. In addition to the 1,600 seedling trees planted, irrigation, deer fencing, weeding, and two Kelp treatments by SAVATREE were required. More planting will be accomplished this (2025) spring. More detailed information is available on the Groveland website for Town Tree Project:
https://grovelandma.com/town-tree-project/.
Dianne expressed praise and her deep gratitude to all the Master Gardeners, volunteers, the Groveland Conservation Commission, (GCC), the GCC Agent, the Groveland Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and the Groveland Garden Club. Generous grants were provided by New England BioLabs and other private donors.
I’d like to thank Dianne for her vision, organizational skills, and leadership. The planet is grateful and needs more people like Dianne.
Suggested reading: Mini Forest Revolution, Hannah Lewis ♦
Ida Wye is the principal of Ida Wye Designs, offering landscape design, consultation, implementation, and restoration. Ida was green long before it was fashionable. She is committed to creating gardens that heal our planet, one landscape at a time. www.idawyelandscapes.com
