Stepping Stone Forests

Dodder Action has been the main supporter of the Stepping Stone Forest project since the first mini-woodland was planted in Sean Walsh Park, in Tallaght, Dublin on 27 November 2021. Since that time Dodder Action has supported the planting of more than 55,000 native Irish trees & shrubs in 50 locations in the Dublin area. Most of these Stepping Stone Forests have been planted in schools and parkland in the River Dodder  catchment area.

Planting trees along rivers and streams offers numerous benefits for water quality, river health, and biodiversity. Trees help to reduce soil erosion, filter pollutants, and regulate water flow, ultimately leading to cleaner and healthier river systems. By only planting native species we are helping to maintain and enhance local biodiversity in urban environments.

Through the Stepping Stone Forest project Dodder Action helps to educate future generations about the value of native trees and our local biodiversity. To date we have planted mini-woodlands in more than 40 schools benefiting a combined school population in excess of 20,000.

If you wish to sponsor a Stepping Stone Forest or to volunteer at one of our events please email us at dodderaction@gmail.com.

What are Stepping Stone Forests?

A Stepping Stone Forest is a small, urban, densely planted woodland using native species of trees and shrubs. Due to the dense nature of the planting the trees and shrubs grow very rapidly. Stepping Stone Forests are inspired by a planting method first pioneered by world renowned botanist Prof. Akira Miyawaki.

How are they Different?

They are planted very densely with between one to five plants per each square meter. Prior to planting the ground is covered in a layer of cardboard and then heavily mulched to help suppress competing vegetation, retain moisture, and to maintain a more even ground temperature.

Why Plant Them?

Stepping Stone Forests provide natural oases for Irish wildlife. They also provide vital ecosystem services that greatly benefit us humans also. These small dense mixed forests absorb more that 30 times more carbon than grass lawns and help to reduce global warming. The temperature within these forests is typically 2 degrees centigrade below the temperature around the forest.

When to Plant Them?

Stepping Stone Forests are created by planting native Irish bare root trees and shrubs. Native plants have acclimatised to Irish conditions over thousands of years and are best suited to our conditions. The optimum planting time for bare root trees and shrubs in the Irish climate is from October to March.

How to Plant Them?

Stepping Stone Forests have been inspired by Japanese botanist Prof. Akira Miyawaki. The planting area is prepared by covering it with layers of cardboard, and wood chip mulch. Approximately six months later community volunteers or schoolchildren plant the trees and shrubs at a rate of three per square meter.

The only maintenance that is required is to ensure that the woodchip mulch keeps the weeds suppressed and if necessary add an extra layer of mulch occasionally. After three years the Stepping Stone Forest is self-sustaining requiring no further human intervention.

The SSF initiative has to date garnered many awards including: SDCC Community Endeavour Award (2024); Pride of Place, Climate Action and Diversity Runner Up (2024); SDCC Mayor’s Recognition Award (2023);LAMA Best Environmental Project Award (2023)