ONLINE HOME STUDY COURSE
Study, Learn and Work in the Arboriculture Industry
Understand diagnosis and treatment of tree disorders. Pests, diseases, nutritional and water problems are covered. Learn about tree identification, biology, tree surgery practices, pruning and training both young and established trees, and safety measures to follow. Learn about:
- Tree biology
- Soils for trees
- Tree health problems
- How to prune trees correctly
- Equipment
- Workplace Health & Safety
All too often trees are the forgotten giants of our garden areas. A shrub or ground cover plant is far closer to the human eye than a tree, and these plants usually get most of our attention because they are so easily seen. With trees it often seems to be "out of sight, out of mind".
Trees are in fact potentially far greater problems than shrubs. If a shrub blows over, it creates a bit of a mess and a gap in the garden bed. If a tree blows over, it can destroy half the garden, make a large hole in the roof of a house, or crush your new car. Trees, like people, can be hurt, they can get sick, and sooner or later they will die. They need to be fed and watered, and they do need "doctoring" if their life is to be extended to the fullest. Some trees, like some people, are hardier and never seem to become ill. In the same way, however, many trees have "medical" problems which no one seems to notice until it is too late!
CONTENT
There are eight lessons in this module, as follows:
1. Introduction To Arboriculture
- Trees in the Garden
- Planting in the Wrong place
- Plant Selection
- How to plant a tree
- Planting Bare Rooted trees
- Planting Advanced trees
- Helping a Tree to get established
- How to Transplant a Tree
- Using Tree Guards
- Undertaking a Tree Inspection and Completing a Report
2. Tree Biology
- Tree Growth
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Transpiration
- Vernilisation
- Process of autumn foliage colour change
- Tree Physiology; roots, stems, leabes, reproductive parts
- How a tree grows
- Secondary Growth
- Growth Rings
- Heartwood and Sapwood
- Compartmentalisation; how a tree rots
- Water and Plant Growth
- Rate of Photosynthesis
- Rate of Respiration
- Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration
- Terminology
3. Soils In Relation To Trees
- Soil and Tree Growth
- Fertilizing Trees
- Compacted Soils
- Tree Health and Drainage
- Treating Soil over Winter
- Changing Soil Levels around Trees
- Practical Tests; measuring soil characteristics
- Soils in relation to Trees
- Nutrition
- Managing ph
- Fertilizers
4. Diagnosing Tree Problems
- Tree Disorders and Health
- Frost Protection
- Minimizing Wind Damage
- Affects of mulch and watering on frost
- Misletoe
- Dealing with Problems
- Diagnosing Tree Health Problems
- Difficult to Diagnose Problems
- Environmental Problems
- Types of Disease: Blights, Canker, Galls, Leaf Spot, Mildew, Rots, Rust, Sooty Mould, Wilt etc
- Types of Pests; Aphis, Beetles, Borerts, Bugs, Caterpillars, Leafhoppers, Mites, Nematodes, Termites, Thrip, Wasp, etc.
5. Tree Surgery
- Is Tree Surgery Needed
- Types of Surgery; cavity treatment, rods, cables etc
- Tree Surgery Safety; for workers, for public
- Cavity Treatments
- Bracing and Cabling
- Propping
- Treating Bark Wounds
- Removing Large Branches
- Climbing Techniques
- Preparing to Climb, How to Climb, Anchoring Point
- Knots
6. Pruning Of Trees
- Introduction
- Branch Removal Method
- Crown Cleaning, Thinning
- Crown Reduction
- Crown Lifting
- Pruning Objectives
- Fruit Tree Pruning
- Removving Trees
- Felling a Whole Tree
- Felling in Sections
- Terminology
7. Arboricultural Equipment
- Introduction
- Secateurs
- Hand Saws
- Power Tools, Safety with Electricity
- Engine Troubleshooting; Dirty Spark Plugs
- Tool Maintenance
- Deciding what to Buy
- Chain Saws
- Hedge Trimmers
- Climbing Equipment; ladder, harness, rope, belt, spurs, etc
8. Workplace Health & Safety.
- Duty of Care
- Workplace Safety
- Lifting and Manual Handling
- Protective Equipment; personal protection, gloves, eyewear, hearing protection, skin protection, knee protection, etc
- Handling Tools and Machinery Safely
- Safe Chain Saw Handling
- Tool Maintenance
- Auditing Tools
AIMS
- Describe measures to provide healthy trees in different situations, including appropriate plant selection.
- Explain tree biology, including morphology, anatomy and physiology, as it relates to arboriculture.
- Develop procedures to manage soils for improved tree growth.
- Develop procedures for managing health disorders with trees, including environmental, pest and disease problems.
- Determine surgical techniques commonly used in arboriculture to repair damage to plants.
- Explain tree surgery techniques commonly used in arboriculture to prune growth.
- Determine appropriate equipment for arboricultural practice.
- Determine appropriate workplace health and safety practices for an arboricultural workplace.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU MAY DO
- Distinguish between plants in order to identify many different trees.
- Develop a standard tree report form, customised for surveying the condition and use of trees in your locality.
- Explain how to treat specified soil related problems that can effect trees.
- Develop a twelve month program, for managing a health problem detected by you in an established tree.
- Demonstrate bridge grafting across a bark wound.
- Distinguish between different methods of pruning including:- Canopy reduction Cleaning out -Topiary -Espaliering.
- Determine the minimum equipment required to commence business as a tree surgeon.
- Compare different chainsaws, to determine appropriate applications for each.
- Determine legislation which is relevant to a specific arborist in a workplace which you visit.
DURATION: 100 hours
COURSE NOTES SAMPLE
Planting Bare-Rooted Trees
The procedure for planting bare-rooted trees is much the same as for other trees, except for the following:
- Plant when the tree is dormant (mid winter).
- Keep the roots of the tree wrapped up and moist until you are ready to plant.
- Dig a hole that is reasonably deep and wider than the root system.
- Mound some soil in the middle of the hole.
- Place the trunk of the plant on the centre of the mound and spread roots away from the trunk.
- Backfill and water in as above.
Planting Advanced Trees
- Advanced trees provide an instant effect, but they can be difficult to handle:
- When moving advanced trees be careful not to strain your back.
- Use machinery, or plenty of people.
- Use wheelbarrows, crowbars and trolleys, and take it slow.
- Once the tree is near or inside the hole, use a crowbar to manoeuvre it into position. In some cases, it is easier to break or cut the container than try to lift it out of the pot.
Helping the Tree Settle In
Once you have planted your tree, there are a number of things you can do to help it recover from the shock of transplanting.
- Use an anti-stress spray (a spray that puts a coating over the leaf to stop water loss)
- Use a root hormones (chemical or natural eg. seaweed)
- Water regularly – never let the soil dry out during the first six weeks after planting.
- Apply a fertiliser – regular applications of foliar fertiliser will get evergreens off to a great start.
- Remove damaged stems or roots.
- Install a tree guard to protect the tree from wind, animals and people.
- Only use stakes if the tree is in a very exposed, windy position, and never leave the stake in position for more than one season.
Contrary to popular belief, mature trees do not have a single tap root.
In fact, most plant roots are in the top 10cm (4 inches) of soil. For this reason the planting hole should be wider than it is deep.
- Recognised by International Accreditation and Recognition Council
- Highly qualified and respected staff
- A range of memberships and affiliations in the UK, Australia and elsewhere.
- Affiliations and articulation arrangements with a range of other colleges in the UK and Australia.
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.
