Design Catalog 05 of 06
School campuses, university grounds, and institutional properties where forests serve as living classrooms and ecological demonstration sites.
Site Type
School campuses, university grounds, and institutional properties where forests serve as living classrooms and ecological demonstration sites.
This catalog is designed using the Houston Miyawaki Forest Design Guide species selection criteria — all species validated for Houston's USDA zones 9a–10a and the specific site conditions of this catalog type.
Site Specifications
Species Composition
All species are native to the Houston region and validated for this site type. Percentages represent target proportions of total planting count.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Layer | % Mix | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | Emergent |
12%
|
Spectacular scarlet fall color; tolerates urban stress better than most oaks; rapid growth |
| Pecan | Carya illinoinensis | Emergent |
10%
|
Texas state tree; highest wildlife food value of all native trees — engaging for student observation |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | Sub-Canopy |
12%
|
Spectacular magenta-pink spring blooms; multi-season interest, ideal for phenology lessons |
| Mexican Buckeye | Ungnadia speciosa | Sub-Canopy |
10%
|
Multi-season ornamental with fragrant spring flowers; seeds toxic — see school-site placement guidance |
| Roughleaf Dogwood | Cornus drummondii | Sub-Canopy |
8%
|
Thicket-forming; white spring flowers and fall fruits highly valued by 36 bird species |
| Coralberry | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Shrub |
12%
|
Shade-tolerant; persistent coral berries provide winter food — easy for students to observe |
| Agarito | Berberis trifoliolata | Shrub |
10%
|
Hardy evergreen; among the earliest nectar sources of the year — great seasonal-change lesson |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | Shrub |
8%
|
120+ bird species consume the fruit; plant parts other than ripe cooked berries are mildly toxic — see school-site advisory |
| Drummond's Phlox | Phlox drummondii | Ground Cover |
10%
|
Spectacular mass of pink/red/purple blooms March–May; rapid visual impact for establishment phase |
| Rain Lily | Zephyranthes traubii | Ground Cover |
8%
|
Charming white flowers emerge after rainfall — a dynamic, memorable display for students |
Site-Specific Guidance
Design the forest with labeled stations for each of the four layers. Partner with science teachers to build plant phenology journals, bird count programs, and seasonal observation projects into curriculum.
Agarito (thorny shrub) should be placed away from primary play areas and student pathways. Mexican Buckeye seeds and Elderberry plant parts (other than ripe cooked berries) are mildly toxic — position away from areas where young students gather.
Schools see strongest community buy-in when students participate in planting day. Design the planting for 40–60 student volunteers with teacher team leaders. Planting day becomes a memorable annual tradition.
School forests are ideal for multi-year student research. Establish permanent monitoring plots at planting — height measurements, species counts, and bird observations provide authentic scientific data across grade levels.
Ready to plant a schools & institutional grounds forest?
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