Helping Solon’s Mini-Forest Take Root

Kurtz Bros. recently had the opportunity to play a part in a unique community project that will continue making an impact for decades to come.

The Solon Mini-Forest was recently planted near the southwest corner of Aurora and Liberty Roads. The approximately 333-square-yard site includes nearly 1,100 native trees and shrubs representing up to 32 different species, densely planted to eventually create a layered native woodland.

The project uses a concept originally developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki. As the Mini-Forest becomes established, it is expected to help strengthen the local tree canopy, support biodiversity, improve soil health, manage stormwater, and provide habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

Kurtz Bros. was proud to support the project as a major supplier of the bulk materials used to prepare and establish the site, including topsoil, mulch and wood chips.

The project was led by the Solon Green Team, in partnership with the City of Solon and Rooted in Trees, with support from numerous local organizations, businesses, students and community volunteers. Together, volunteers helped get nearly 1,100 plants into the ground during planting day.

Projects like this are a great reminder that the materials we produce, sell and deliver every day can become part of something much bigger. In this case, our products helped create the foundation for a living community asset that could benefit Northeast Ohio for generations.

Today, the trees may be small, but 10, 20 or 50 years from now, the impact of this project will look very different.

We’re proud that Kurtz Bros. could help this Mini-Forest take root.