The structure of the WPP system put in place at the research site is the Midwestern Oak Savanna. This structure entails an herbaceous understory, scattered canopy trees, and a variety of shrub layers scattered throughout. By swapping out the original plant-life within this ecological system for more utilizable plants, researchers are able to recreate the ecological niche with an economically productive purpose. One example of such a switch is from oak trees to chestnut trees. While oak trees produce acorns, which are technically edible, the chestnut tree is a tree of the same family that produces a more commercially viable nut.

The productive life of each of the plants used in these systems is high, which is important in making the system sustainable. It also evens out the higher initial costs of implementing such a system, since that expense is the only major expense. Examples of plants used are the currant, with a productive life of 50 years; the grape, with a life of 70 years; the apple, with a life of 80 years; and the chestnut, with a life of 300 years. The productive life of the hazelnut and of the raspberry is indefinite.