Urban forests play an important role as carbon sinks urban areas. Tree plantation using potted seedlings of native species is an urban re-forestation method introduced in Japan in the 1970s. The potted seedlings have well developed root systems and are planted densely, in random mixes. In western Japan, mainly evergreen broad-leaved tree species are used. The forests planted are mostly elongate in shape, often serving as “green screens” between other elements of a built landscape. Creation of independent, naturally regenerating woodland ecosystems is the ultimate goal of re-forestation.

We studied forest dynamics in a 30-year-old artificial evergreen broad-leaved forest in Oita Prefecture. DBH and height of all trees were measured, in 2005, 2008 and 2011, in a permanent quadrat of 0.11 ha. Light conditions, soil hardness, and litterfall were also monitored during the same period.

The stand contained 27 tree species, of which Cinnamomum camphora, Machilus thunbergii and Castanopsis sieboldii were dominant. Tree mortality and recruitment were a little high, and litterfall was more than average for evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan. Effects of edges and other characteristics on forest dynamics are discussed.