microforest
MY-kroh-for-ist
Definition
A small, dense area of trees and vegetation planted in an urban space, often designed to maximize cooling and biodiversity within a very limited footprint.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'mikros' meaning 'small' and the Latin 'forestis' meaning 'outside' or 'woodland'. The term has emerged recently to describe the practice of planting tiny, dense woodlands in urban areas using high-density planting techniques.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a small, high-density patch of trees outside a mall, highlighting how such compact plantings can provide significant cooling and ecological benefits in land-scarce Singapore.
Singapore treats trees as more than decoration: research shows street shade can measurably cool the air around roads, while tree cover near buildings can reduce the demand for air-conditioning in one of Asia's hottest cities
Read the full article ↗ScienceBlog.com