East Warren Filter Forest
An eleven-parcel tree planting and conservation project on Warren ave, at the South end of the Arboretum, at 3309 E Warren Ave in Detroit.
We began in May 2025 with an Earth Day tree planting event in collaboration with Clear the Air, on a parcel donated by neighbors. Above is Filter Forest in the summer of 2025, after that tree planting. Our previous one parcel park, Patiense Grove is in the center, where the trees are concentrated.
The photos above show the development of Patiense Grove as well as that first parcel expansion.
The following photos document tree planting volunteer events in late 2025 and 2026, which resulted in 130 trees and shrubs in the ground. We found the soil to be full of rubble and trash, so, like other Arboretum Detroit parks, this one also features a stupa.
Because of the buried basements on this site, we decided to try a new method of site prep for meadow establishment. We have done tilling and plowing, solarization and herbicides. They all have their drawbacks. To avoid toxic chemicals, large amounts of plastic waste and unearthing the heavy invasive seed load characteristic to our area, we are importing tons of wood chips and horse manure and spreading it thick to cover the area. This biomass will suffocate the weeds and in a year or two when it breaks down, we will seed with native meadow seeds.
Another land donation expanded Filter Forest across the alley, with an entrance off Theodore street. There is now a path lined with dozens of trees and native plants, a Boulder Scape, and a bench.
Support for this project comes from the Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation, the Conservation Fund, the DTE Energy Foundation, Wayne Metro and the City of Detroit, and private donations. Our gratitude also goes out to the multitudes of volunteers sharing work and joy with us.