The site chosen for the project is located in Malaysia's Sarawak State. The first priority was to gather seeds, especially those of the Dipterocarpaceae trees, that would become the primary timber of the forest. Because Dipterocarpaceae trees can reach over 50 meters, it was necessary to look for the blossoms with binoculars.
After a period of four months, which was the estimated time required for the fruit to mature, the workers returned to pick up the fallen seeds, gathering over 200,000 seeds in the first year. The next stage was to grow the seedlings in pots. Over the next four years, over 300,000 seedlings of 92 species were cultivated. In March 1991, a trial planting was begun in the first planting area and consisted mainly of potted seedlings that had grown to 30 to 50 centimeters in height in the six to eight months since germination.
The first tree planting ceremony was held on July 15 and was attended by some 1,200 people. Working together, participants were able to plant approximately 6,000 young trees. The area around each tree was mulched with withered oil palm leaves and cut grass to protect the trees from the harsh sun.

In commercial forestry, young trees of the same species are normally planted at a rate of about 1,000 per hectare. The Miyawaki method calls for the high-density planting of various species of young trees - between 20,000 and 30,000 per hectare. With this intensive mixed planting approach, the trees grow by competing for limited space. For the first two or three years the area is monitored and weeded, and any dead trees are replaced. The trees are then left to grow without further human intervention.

NOTE: To date, a total of 300,000 trees have been planted through this project. Vegetation consists of tree and emergent trees of 20 genera and 92 species, mostly Dipterocarpaceae (see Table). Growth analysis results show that the initial pace of growth is extremely fast when compared with forests in temperate regions. The planting area received annual rainfall in excess of 3,500 millimeters and has an annual average temperature of about 28 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions, soil nutrient levels are likely to be about one-half the levels in Japan. Tropical plants have small root systems, with organic stock primarily contained in the upper vegetative layer.