HOME STUDY - ONLINE COURSE
Increase your understanding and skills in tree care.
Develop your ability to manage trees beyond the basics (building on Arboriculture I), in order to minimize potential long term tree problems. Learn about better tree selection, strengthening and improving health of existing trees. Learn techniques used to remove trees and stumps that need removal. Learn about:
- Tree planting
- Advanced tree problems
- Tolerant tree species
- Establishing tree plantations
- Tree fellling
- Stump removal
- Stregthening weak trees & more
COURSE CONTENT
There are 7 lessons as follows:
Lesson 1- . Planting Techniques
Soil, Water, Climate, Maintenance, Matching a tree to the site, Local regulations, Plant at the right time, Planting techniques, Plant size and age, Container type, Buying a tree, How to plant a tree, Watering method, Transplanting a large tree, Preparing for transplanting, Aftercare, small feature trees, Transplanting deciduous trees, Pruning at planting, Pocket planting, Slope serratioin, Wattling, Planting on Arid sites, Direct seeding, Spray seeding, trees with berries,
Lesson 2. Controlling Plant Problems
Temperature, Frost, Winds, Acclimatisation, Tree guards, Other Tree Problems (Fire damage, Fire Resistant trees, pollution and toxic reactions, Soil contamination, Treating foliage burn, Soil rehabilitation, Trees to extract soil contaminants, Soil chemical composition, Air pollution and tree growth, pollutant tolerant trees, Pollution intolerant trees, Trees to control Urban air pollution, Dry soils, Symptoms of drought stressed trees, Dry soil tolerant trees, Trees for hot sites, Drainage problems and trees, Wet tolerant trees, Treee health problems, Resistant plant species, Choosing and using pesticides safely, Biological controls of pest and disease, Lifescycles, Tree termites, Tree injections, Tree nutrition and nutrition management, Fertilisers
Lesson 3. Strengthening Weak Trees
Trimming, Trimming technique, Adverse responses to trimming, thinning, Bracing, temporary props, Modern bracing systems, Bolting, Rodding technique, Guy wires, How strong is dead wood, Cabling
Lesson 4. Controlling Damage Caused by Plants
Tree damage, Tree root problems, trees that can cause problems with drains, Orecautions with drains, Selecting and using trees near drains, Limiting root problems, Root pruning, Trees and the water table (Aquafiers), Trees and power lines, Poisonous trees,
Lesson 5. Tree Felling and Stump Removal
Tree evaluation systems, Calculating tree value, Tree removal, Why remove a tree, Tree felling methods, Axe, Saws, Winches, Chain saw, Controlling the fall, Different methods or removing stumps, Protecting trees, National Tree registers, Measuring tree height, Keeping a work site safe, risk assessment, Duty of care, Costing jobs,
Lesson 6. Tolerant Plant Species
What to plant where, Tree data required, Influence of trees on buildings, Species suitability, Planning considerations, Harsh environments, frost protection, Frost resistant trees, Sun protection, Mulching, Fencing, wind protection, Wind tolerant trees, Soil degradation, Saline tolerant trees, Lime tolerance, Acid tolerance, Hardy trees for inner city, Review of several major genera (Aer, Fraxinus, Pinus, Quercus,
Lesson 7. Establishing a Tree Plantation
Windbreaks, Windbreak design, Choosing windbreak species, Designing tree plantations, Producing drawings to scale.
DURATION: 100 hours
COURSE AIMS:
- Explain how to plant a specified advanced-sized tree on a specific site.
- Explain tree injection, including the technique and applications.
- Identify situations where trees require strengthening operations to be carried out.
- Compare different ways to control roots which invade underground pipes.
- Calculate the cost of removing a specified tree.
- Determine appropriate tree species suited to a specific visited site.
- Devise a method for removing a tree, including tree felling and stump removal.
- Analyse different specimens of mature trees, from each different genera, to detect any patterns in problems occurring in those trees.
- Develop criteria for the establishment of a tree plantation on a specific site which addresses; site restrictions, cost and function.
COURSE NOTES SAMPLE
Transplanting large trees
Large trees should only be transplanted by a properly equipped professional. Advanced tree specialists use specially-designed equipment such as mechanised tree spades, cranes, winches, self-loading tree-moving trailers and large trucks to move valuable trees from one site to another. The following notes are provided as a background to these operations.
Some trees transplant more readily than others. Generally deciduous trees in their dormant state are the most adaptable, and conifers and many evergreens are the least adaptable.
Transplanting should not be carried out in extreme weather conditions; avoid planting during windy, very cold or dry times of the year. The tree needs to be prepared for transplanting at least one growing season before removal. Trees that are known to be less adaptable should be prepared at least two growing seasons ahead; as a rule, the longer the preparation period, the better chance the tree has of adapting to its new environment.
Preparing the Tree for Transplanting
At least one growing season before removal, a trench is dug around the tree. Roots growing beyond the trench are cut off and, over the growing season, new fibrous roots will form - these are essential for supporting the tree once it is lifted out of the soil.
The distance the trench is dug beyond the tree depends on the species, the size and age of the tree and the transplanting equipment. For example, a mechanised tree spade can be used to lift a tree with a trunk calliper of 35mm, and a root ball of 500mm diameter and 300mm depth (therefore the trench would have a 500 mm diameter). A larger tree spade could be used to remove a tree with a trunk calliper of 200 mm, and a root ball of 2250mm diameter and 1250 depth. If less sophisticated equipment is used, the trench diameters may need to be smaller to minimise the weight of the root ball.
The trench is often formed in segments to minimise root damage and subsequent shock to the tree. The trench circumference is divided into four to eight segments. Alternate segments are cut out in one operation, and roots form in the trench; the remaining segments are cut out in the following growing season.
The trench may be left unfilled so that roots only form in the undisturbed area close to the tree. This means the new fibrous roots are less likely to be damaged during lifting. Alternatively the trench can be filled with loamy soil, humus or other porous media, with the aim of encouraging new roots to grow in the media (so the tree will have a larger proportion of fibrous roots when it is transplanted).
At the time of lifting, the root ball is usually held together with a covering of hessian, canvas or other sturdy material and tied with ropes or chains. The root zone should be well watered at least two days before lifting. Some branches may need to be cut off to reduce the crown size and to minimise interference with the lifting operation. Branches can be tied together and/or covered in hessian or other material to reduce damage.
Aftercare
- The soil around the newly-planted tree must not dry out during the first growing season; mulching is highly recommended.
- Limbs that are damaged during transplanting must be pruned, and bark wounds may also need treatment.
- Larger trees are likely to need stabilising with guy wires attached to ground anchors or stakes driven into the ground.
CONTACT ACS TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR TUTORS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS COURSE.
REASONS TO STUDY WITH ACS DISTANCE EDUCATION
• Reputation:
-teaching Horticulture since 1979
-exceptional faculty staff (see below)
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Uniqueness:
-successful people are always those who can offer a skill or service that others can't
-this course is different; our graduates have different skills to set them apart.
• Relevance -curriculum developed in response to industry needs
• Lots of help: personal, prompt attention from tutors
• Holistic Courses: We teach more than just "facts"
-success is only 20% about intelligence (and what you know)
-you also need to build networking, problem solving & communication skills, and more!
-this course helps you develop all of these things and more
• Value: courses compare very favorably on a cost per study hour basis
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Student amenities: This school is backed by over one of the most unique and comprehensive private collections of intellectual property in the horticultural industry. The principal and staff have written and published over 50 books and 150 gardening magazines, as well as 20,000 hours horticultural study programs. A team of 5 horticultural writers continue to develop and update new material continually. These resources together with web sites, an online student room, social media etc. provide a unique and comprehensive facility to support students studying with the school.
OUR FACULTY
These are just some of the people involved with developing and updating courses; and tutoring our horticulture students
John Mason Dip.Hort.Sc.
40 years + in horticulture Graduated from Burnley Horticultural College in 1971,Nurseryman, Landscape Designer and Parks Director through the 1970's. One of Australia's most published garden writers, author of books published by Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, CSIRO and other major publishers; Editor for 4 different national gardening magazines; honored as a fellow of both the Institute of Horticulture in Australia and the Institute of Horticulture in the UK.
Gavin Cole B.Sc., M.Psych.
30 years + in horticulture. Renowned horticulturist and psychologist. Former operations manager for the highly regarded "Chelsea Gardener" landscape firm in London, garden writer and landscaper in both Brisbane and Adelaide in Australia.
Maggi Brown
40 years + in horticulture. Former education manager for "Garden Organic"; England's peak organic gardening and farming body.
Dr Lyn Morgan Phd
25 years + in horticulture. New Zealand based hydroponic consultant and author, with experience working everywhere from Asia to America.
Rosemary Davies Dip.Hort.Sc.
30 years + in horticulture; including Victorian Department of Agriculture Gradening Advisor, Gardening Editor/writer/author for major publishers and newspapers.
Diana Cole B,A., RHS Dip Hort, NTEC Higher Dip in Garden Design
15 years + in horticulture and landscaping
Adriana Fraser Adv.Dip.Hort.
30 years + in horticulture. Consultant, teacher, garden write, manager of plant collections
Bob James B.App.Sc(Hort), M. Env.Sc., Grad.Dip.Mgt.
Yvonne Sharpe Dip.Hort., M.Hort.
Martin Powdrill B.Sc(Hons), M.Sc. PDC
Marie Beerman B.Sc., M.Hort.
