horticulture I

This 100 hour course from the Garden Design Academy develops your skills and understanding in diagnosis and treatment of tree disorders - pests, diseases, nutritional deficiencies, water and other problems.

You will learn about the standard tree surgery practices, to prune and train both young and established trees, and the safety measures to follow.

All too often trees are the forgotten giants of our gardens, parks and countryside. 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 have in fact potential for 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!

As with all our courses, study papers are provided on a CD, in total involving approximately 100 hours of work. The course is divided into 8 lessons with an assignment set at the end of each. These are sent to the Academy for marking and are returned to you with comments and suggestions. These exercises help you guage your progress and reinforce what you have learned.

You will be working with Colin Elliott, an experienced professional horticulturist, landscaper and garden designer.

There are eight lessons in this module, as follows:

1. Introduction to Arboriculture

Trees in the garden, Planting in the right position, Choosing the right variety, Choosing the right specimen, How to plant different types of trees, Transplanting, Tree Guards, Using a Tree Report Form

2. Tree Biology

Tree growth, Photosynthesis, Respiration, Transpiration, Vernilisation, What makes foliage change colour, Tree physiology, Roots, Stems, Leaves, Bud types, How a tree grows, Vascular tissue, Cambium, Xylem, Phloem, Secondary growth, Growth rings, Heartwood, Sapwood, Compartmentalisation, Water and plant growth, Growth rate factors, Arboricultural terminology

3. Soils In Relation to Trees

Fertilising, Compacted soils, Tree health and drainage, Treating soil over winter, Changed soil levels around trees, Measuring pH, Measuring soil organic content, Measuring water content, Determining fertiliser solubility, Testing affect of lime on soil, Laboratory testing of soils, Soil texture, Measuring salinity, Soil horizons, Soil Naming, Soil nutrition, Fertilisers, etc

4. Diagnosing Tree Problems

Tree health disorders, Frost protection, Minimising frost and wind damage, Mulch and frost, Missletoe, Diagnosing problems, Conducting a Tree inspection

5. Tree Surgery

Tree surgery - do you need it? Review of techniques, Tree surgery safety, Safety and the worker, Public safety, Safety regulations, Cavity treatments, Bracing, Cabling, Propping, Bark wounds, Tree climbing techniques, Knots, Anchoring points, etc.

6. Pruning of Trees

Pruning objectives, Removing branches, Crown cleaning, Crown thinning, Crown reduction, Crown lifting, Crown renewal, Fruit tree pruning, Felling a whole tree, Felling sections of a tree, terminology.

7. Arboriculture Equipment

Secateurs, Hand saws, Power tools, Safety with electricity, Engine and tool maintenance, Chain saws, Hedge trimmers, Ladders, Harnesses, Ropes, Pole belt, Spurs, etc

8. Workplace Health and Safety

Duty of Care, Lifting & manual handling, Protective equipment, Handling tools and machinery, Auditing tools and equipment

 

Course cost: £ 345.00 (single payment)

OR two payments of £ 195.00

Payment Method

Single payment £345.00 First of two payments £195.00