The University of Melbourne is running a long-term trial planting program with the City of Greater Dandenong called the Woody Meadow. Woody Meadows are diverse plantings of Australian shrubs and small trees maintained by hard-pruning to promote flowering and create dense canopies to exclude weeds and encourage biodiversity. These plantings are part of a network of Woody Meadow sites across Australia. These trial sites will inform design and management of future Woody Meadow to improve the function and appearance of public landscapes.
Greater Dandenong has three Woody Meadow planted areas at Burden Park, Ross Reserve and Dandenong Park (Princes Highway). The Woody Meadow planting occurred in June/July 2021.
The next coppice event is scheduled for May 2026 and biennially thereafter.
The photos below show the site plan, the first coppicing event and images of the site, one year after planting.
Visit the Woody Meadow website to read more information about this project