How a tiny forest at Foote’s Pond Wood could help Greater Morristown weather future storms

By April Stelle

An innovative mini-forest going in at Foote’s Pond Wood may suggest how to spare Greater Morristown homeowners from the kind of tree devastation they experienced from the July 3, 2026, storm.

Conceived by Rutgers University agricultural expert Jean Epiphan, this “ornamental pocket forest” aims to demonstrate the ecological benefits of replacing lawn areas with native plants.

The idea is to inspire people to ditch the suburban single-tree aesthetic, explained Susan Landau of the Friends of Foote’s Pond Wood.

A single tree on a lawn may last for about 50 years, Landau said. And then, “you look at that tree, and you go, ‘Oh my goodness, that tree’s gonna blow over on my house.’” But if you plant a few trees close together, “the roots will knit together, like in a forest. The roots will just interlock, and they’re much less susceptible to wind throw, so they’re much safer.”

Pocket forests are not a new concept — people have been using something called the Miyawaki Method to plant trees on lawns for about 50 years. Epiphan’s innovation focuses on visual appeal.

While both approaches accomplish the same goal, ornamental forests require exact spacing between trees, with defined edges using mulch or stones to clearly establish where the forest ends and the lawn begins.

“This concept is amenable to just about any type of landscape and provides a lot of ecological services for that landscape… and looks more aesthetically pleasing to the type of folks that don’t really know about plants or don’t really understand that nature is complex,” said Epiphan, an agriculture and natural resource agent and assistant professor at Rutgers.

All forests contain an “overstory” layer trees or tall shrubs — elderberries at Foote’s Pond —and an “understory” layer of wildflowers, ferns or grass-like plants. The species of plants should be chosen for easy care, and to provide habitat for butterflies and birds. Plants also should be selected considering a lawn’s sun and shade.

Ecological benefits lie in the fallen leaves. Held in place by the understory layer, they create an optimal environment for insects. Ninety-six percent of birds rely on insects to feed their babies; caterpillars support the young of more than 300 bird species. Foote’s Pond Wood’s tiny forest will support more than 30 species of caterpillars.

Native plants are essential for insect survival. More than 800 native plants in New Jersey are listed as endangered or as species of concern due to invasives, imported from other parts of the world for their beauty. These include multiflora rose, which runs rampant in Foote’s Pond Wood, and Japanese barberry found on the Morris Country Traction Line.

CONTINUING THE MISSION

Landau and her late husband John moved to Morristown a decade ago and fell in love with Foote’s Pond Wood, which was expanded with 11 acres acquired by the town of Morristown from the Loyola Jesuit Center.

The Landaus’ yard, across the street from the pond, has a pocket forest, something Susan  said is easy to maintain and fills the property with lightning bugs and butterflies.

The ornamental forest at Foote’s Pond continues the couple’s volunteer mission of restoring the park’s ecology, and educating the public about harmful and helpful plant species.

Leading the project is Chris Ebneth of the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, which teaches participants across the state about environmental issues and the impact of climate change. The retired elementary school science teacher worked with Epiphan and Landau — an RES alum herself — on the ornamental forest for his 60-hour final project.

With help from Friends of Foote’s Pond Wood volunteers, seven elderberry bushes were planted and ground was mulched with cardboard sheets over four hours across two days in late June 2026.

“I can’t believe this happened in two days,” Ebneth said.

The understory layer of lady fern, white wood aster and bluebells will be planted in the fall. Landau estimates the ornamental forest should grow to its full glory in about three years.

Ebneth and Epiphan are planting another ornamental forest at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County. For that project, they plan to teach landscapers how to plant and care for these forests. Along with their ecological benefits, the limited plant species makes weeding easy.

Epiphan hopes her design will inspire homeowners to do help the local ecology.

“There’s a lot of invasives running amok in our forests that are degrading the habitat there,” Epiphan said.

Morristown Shade Tree Commission Chair Kristin Ace believes every municipality would benefit from pocket forests. Populating one area with natives can lead to a natural spread through bird droppings.

While Landau says areas like Jockey Hollow in the Morristown National Historical Park are in imminent failure — meaning they are so overrun by invasive species, they are unable to naturally replace canopy trees when they die— Ace agrees that residential pocket forests could contribute to ecological restoration.

“There is ample opportunity for New Jersey and other states with our kind of topology to create these tiny forests, these pocket forests, these mini forests, all over their municipalities, which would go a long way in helping us reverse climate change, or at least keep the climate steady to clean our air, clean our water, and support our native environments,” Ace said.

Education is key part of the project. Ebneth hopes to get some signage up, and lead lessons for 5th graders at the Thomas Jefferson School, which borders Foote’s Pond Wood.

“We need residents, we need people, who understand the importance of these things and care and want to do something about it,” Ace said.