On April 25th, for the third year in a row, we worked together with the city of Luboń to green up the area, filling in the gaps in Luboń’s pocket forest, which we had already helped plant in previous years. Around 360 trees went into the ground – small-leaved lime, Scots pine, European beech, sycamore maple, and Norway spruce, species chosen specifically for the local ecosystem and the long-term future of this site.
Why weeding matters just as much as planting
Alongside planting, we also cleared weeds from the site so the new trees would get the best possible start, without having to compete with ground vegetation for water and light right away. Weeds and grasses grow far faster than young tree saplings, and their dense root systems can effectively cut a young tree off from water and soil nutrients before it has a chance to develop a stronger root system of its own.
This step, while far less dramatic than planting itself and rarely the one that makes it into event photos, often determines how many young trees actually make it through their first season. Regular weeding in the months right after planting can significantly boost a young forest’s chances of survival – which is why we treat it as just as important a part of the event as putting a sapling in the ground.
What pocket forests are and why they matter
A pocket forest is a small, densely planted patch of greenery set up on a relatively tiny plot of land – often in places where a traditional forest simply wouldn’t fit, like squares, spaces between apartment blocks, or unused urban lots. It’s typically planted using an approach inspired by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, with many species planted close together at once, which speeds up growth and lets the forest reach maturity far faster than a conventional planting would.
For cities, pocket forests carry real weight – they lower the temperature in the immediate area, which makes a genuine difference in summer, improve air quality, help retain rainwater in the soil, and provide shelter for birds and insects that increasingly struggle to find natural habitats among dense urban development. Even a small patch like this can noticeably improve the local microclimate and biodiversity, and it’s far easier to set up than a traditional park or large-scale reforestation project.
Community engagement
What set this year’s event apart was the exceptional turnout and the sheer engagement of Luboń’s residents. Everyone showed up – young people, families with children, seniors, and the youngest participant was just 2 years old. That kind of age range is rare, and it shows that planting trees can draw people in regardless of age or how involved they’ve been in environmental topics before.
There were snacks, conversation, and an energy that carried through the whole group, from the youngest to the oldest participants. Together, we agreed that after three years, this isn’t a one-off initiative anymore – it’s become a real tradition in this neighborhood.
How planting together builds community bonds
Events like this one show that caring for the environment and building neighborly relationships can go hand in hand. Working together, physically, toward a concrete and visible goal – in this case, a forest that residents will look at from their windows for decades to come – naturally brings together people who might not otherwise cross paths in everyday life. Parents planting trees next to their kids, seniors sharing experience with younger participants, neighbors getting to know each other while working the soil – moments like these build a sense of community far more effectively than many an official initiative ever could.
The fact that this event keeps coming back – the third year running, in the same spot – reinforces that effect even further. Residents who planted trees here a year or two ago can come back and see the forest they helped create actually growing, which builds a lasting sense of ownership over the place long after the event itself is over.
Partnership and thanks
Thank you to the city of Luboń for another year of fruitful cooperation, and to Société Générale for the support that makes this initiative possible. Without this kind of partnership – combining local government commitment, business support, and residents’ enthusiasm – it would be hard to systematically expand this pocket forest at this scale, year after year.
