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Case Study: Transforming a Front Yard into a Thriving Forest
Project Overview
In this case study, we transformed this 5,500-square-foot suburban front yard from a conventional grass lawn into a biodiverse forest using over 40 native Oregon plant species.
The goals of this project are to maximize ecological benefits, including food production, wildlife habitat creation, and insect biodiversity, while reducing maintenance and supporting ecosystem services.
Site Details
Location: Portland, OR
Soil Type: Sandy loam with adequate drainage
Irrigation: In-ground sprinkler system
Goal: Create a multi-layered food forest that supports pollinators, birds, small mammals, and humans while improving soil health and hydrology.
Soil Preparation
Grass Removal and Topsoil
We add 8-12 inches of wood chips on top of the turf grass, followed by a rich soil blend that we plant and seed into.
The wood chips act as a natural mulch that blocks sunlight from reaching the grass beneath, preventing it from photosynthesizing and causing it to die off. This is a simple and highly effective way to eliminate unwanted grass without harsh chemicals. As the wood chips break down over time, they also enrich the soil by adding organic matter and releasing nitrogen, which improves soil fertility and creates a welcoming environment for new plants.
The rich soil blend we add on top further enhances soil structure, improving moisture retention and drainage, which is essential for healthy plant growth. We rely on this method because it mimics natural decomposition and soil layering processes, helping to create an oxygen-rich environment that benefits beneficial microbes while suppressing invasive grasses.
The wood chip layer helps retain moisture in the hot summer months, reducing frequent watering and encouraging deep, healthy root development for the new plants. Overall, it's a simple, sustainable solution that prepares the land for a thriving ecosystem.
Plant Lists:
Canopy Trees
1. Western Red Cedar
Max Height: 120 ft
Bloom Time: N/A (cones mature over 2 years)
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
2. Western Hemlock
Max Height: 100 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: October-November
3. Bitter Cherry
Max Height: 40 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: July-August
4. Cascara
Max Height: 30 ft
Bloom Time: April-June
Fruit Ripening Time: August-September
5. Douglas Hawthorn
Max Height: 30 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: September-October
Shrub Layer
6. Serviceberry
Max Height: 25 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: June-July
7. Mock Orange
Max Height: 12 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
8. Blueblossom Ceanothus
Max Height: 10 ft
Bloom Time: March-May
Fruit Ripening Time: Late Summer
9. Red Flowering Currant
Max Height: 10 ft
Bloom Time: March-May
Fruit Ripening Time: July-August
10. Evergreen Huckleberry
Max Height: 8 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: August-September
11. Rhododendron
Max Height: 8 ft
Bloom Time: April-June
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
12. Osoberry
Max Height: 8 ft
Bloom Time: February-March
Fruit Ripening Time: May-June
13. Douglas Spirea
Max Height: 6 ft
Bloom Time: June-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
14. Oceanspray
Max Height: 6 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: Late Summer
Groundcover and Herbaceous Layer
15. Goldenrod
Max Height: 5 ft
Bloom Time: July-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
16. Gooseberry
Max Height: 5 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: June-July
17. Thimbleberry
Max Height: 5 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: June-August
18. Wood/Cluster Rose
Max Height: 5 ft
Bloom Time: May-August
Fruit Ripening Time: Fall
19. Highbrush Cranberry
Max Height: 4 ft
Bloom Time: May-June
Fruit Ripening Time: September-October
20. Beach Daisy
Max Height: 3 ft
Bloom Time: June-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
21. Wild Strawberry
Max Height: 2 ft
Bloom Time: April-June
Fruit Ripening Time: June-July
22. Sword Fern
Max Height: 2 ft
Bloom Time: N/A (spore-producing)
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
23. Lady Fern
Max Height: 2 ft
Bloom Time: N/A (spore-producing)
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
24. Deerfern
Max Height: 2 ft
Bloom Time: N/A (spore-producing)
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
25. Bluebells
Max Height: 1.5 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: Early Summer
26. Prairie Junegrass
Max Height: 1.5 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
27. Bleeding Heart
Max Height: 1.5 ft
Bloom Time: April-June
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
28. Slough Sedge
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
29. Pink Monkeyflower
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
30. Penstemon
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-August
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
31. Mugwort
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: July-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
32. Showy Milkweed
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-August
Fruit Ripening Time: Late Summer
33. Shooting Star
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: April-June
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
34. Rattlesnake Plantain
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-August
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
35. Sedum
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
36. Sneezeweed
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: July-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
37. Riverbank Lupine
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: Late Summer
38. Umbrella Plant
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
39. Streambank Clover
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: May-June
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
40. Wallflower
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
41. Yellow Monkeyflower
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: June-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
42. Pearly Everlasting
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: July-September
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
43. Royal Jacob’s Ladder
Max Height: 1 ft
Bloom Time: April-May
Fruit Ripening Time: N/A
Projected Benefits Over 20 Years
🌿 Imagine this: a thriving native forest in your yard, alive with the buzz of pollinators, the songs of birds, and the rustle of leaves. Over the next twenty years, this rewilded space won’t just be beautiful but bountiful. Let’s take a closer look at what this forest will do: how much food it will produce, the wildlife it will support, and its incredible impact on our environment. 🌳✨
1. Food Production
This forest will produce significant amounts of edible fruit, seeds, and nuts annually, benefitting both humans and wildlife. Below are the estimated annual yields after 7 years of growth:
Berries for Humans and Wildlife:
Cascara (15 trees): 45 lbs/year
Evergreen Huckleberry (6 bushes): 30 lbs/year
Red Flowering Currant (8 bushes): 20 lbs/year
Gooseberry (1 shrub): 5 lbs/year
Thimbleberry (1 shrub): 3 lbs/year
Osoberry (13 shrubs): 39 lbs/year
Serviceberry (1 tree): 5 lbs/year
Highbrush Cranberry (1 shrub): 4 lbs/year
Wild Strawberry (3 patches): 2 lbs/year
Total Berries: 153 lbs of edible fruit annually
Seeds and Nuts:
Beaked Hazelnut (2 shrubs): 10 lbs/year
Overall Production:Over 20 years, this forest will yield an estimated 3,260 lbs of food, providing sustenance to humans as well as supporting hundreds of birds, squirrels, deer, and other small mammals. This production will also enhance the ecosystem by feeding pollinators and other wildlife, fostering a self-sustaining and resilient food web.
2. Habitat Creation
By providing a multi-layered habitat, the forest will support diverse wildlife. Over the next 20 years:
Birds:
Habitat for at least 20 species of birds (e.g., robins, chickadees, woodpeckers, and towhees). Nesting sites in Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlocks will attract cavity-nesters, while berry-producing plants like Red Flowering Currant and Chokecherry will support fruit-eating birds.
Pollinators:
Species like Showy Milkweed, Penstemon, and Red Flowering Currant will attract dozens of species of bees, butterflies, and moths, including monarch butterflies and native bumblebees.
Small Mammals:
Rodents, squirrels, and other small mammals will use the underbrush for shelter and food, encouraging a natural predator-prey balance.
3. Insect Biodiversity
The dense planting will attract over 150 insect species, from pollinators to decomposers. Specific benefits include:
Host Plants for Caterpillars:
Cascara and Oceanspray will host moth and butterfly larvae.
Milkweed will support monarch butterfly caterpillars.
Ground-Dwelling Insects:
The mulch and groundcover will create a microclimate for beetles, ants, and decomposers, increasing soil fertility.
4. Carbon Sequestration
Trees and shrubs will sequester significant carbon, improving air quality and reducing the yard's carbon footprint. Estimated sequestration over 20 years:
Trees:
Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Cascara: 8,000 lbs of CO₂/year.
Total over 20 years: 160,000 lbs (80 tons).
5. Ecosystem Services
Soil Health:
Slough Sedge and Prairie Junegrass will reduce erosion, while decomposing organic matter from plants improves soil fertility.
Water Retention:
Ferns, sedges, and mulch will retain moisture, reducing runoff and the need for irrigation.
Biodiversity:
Plantings will reintroduce native species and reduce competition from invasives, creating a balanced ecosystem.
Maintenance Schedule
For the first three years, the yard will require maintenance to establish plantings:
Regular watering using the inground sprinkler system.
Removing invasive plants as they emerge.
Replenishing mulch annually.
By year 4, the forest will become self-sufficient, requiring only seasonal pruning and occasional weeding.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates the transformative potential of replacing a lawn with a native forest. Over 20 years, the yard will provide 1,900 lbs of food, habitat for over 20 bird species, a home for 150 insect species, and sequestration of 80 tons of carbon, all while requiring minimal maintenance. The result is a sustainable and biodiverse ecosystem that supports both nature and the homeowners.
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