In 1922, a biology station of the University of Tartu was established on the grounds of Kuusnõmme Manor. The area known as the American forest was an experimental forest for the biology station; starting from 1925, experiments to grow various grass plants and fruit trees were performed, different foreign tree species (Japanese cedar, Thuja, western red cedar, larch, American basswood, European hornbeam, fir, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine) were planted. The plants were sold in Tallinn. The station provided jobs for local people. The station stopped working in 1939. Even now, several foreign species that have preserved can be found in the American forest, the most remarkable of them is the western red cedar.
