Urban Forestry, FOR 265
Fall 2004
I. GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Schedule: Lecture - Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00-12:15 pm - Room 385, Scott HallLab - Tuesday, 1:00-3:30 pm; Field, meet in Room 375, Scott Hall
NOTE: ALL LABS WILL MEET IN ROOM 371, THEN DEPART FOR FIELD
Instructor: Ward H. Robens, Phone (540)863-2894;
e-mail: wrobens@dl.vccs.edu
Office: 354 Scott Hall, Office hours for class assistance & advisement:
| Monday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon |
| Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon |
| Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Friday: 8:00 to 9:00am & 12:00 to 3PM |
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examines the care, maintenance, establishment and management of trees and related plants in the urban environment. Emphasizes non-commodity values of trees and arboricultural practices in the urban forest. Lecture and lab are both 3 hours for a total of 6 hours per week. Four (4) credit hours are granted by DSLCC upon satisfactory completion of this course.
This course will provide forestry students the necessary basic knowledge of trees and their care, for entry-level work in urban forestry and arboriculture. This course is organized into three general categories: (1) Biological tree influences, (2) Arboricultural skills, (3) Urban forestry planning & management
The course provides the background for understanding the importance of urban trees and proper planning and evaluation of the trees in that environment. The course will provide an overview of damaging agents of trees in the urban setting, including physical injuries, insects, disease, soil deficiencies and tree growth responses. And finally, the course will also provide the techniques and working skills of pruning, fertilizing, transplanting, lightning protection, bracing, climbing and pest management. These skills are the primary focus of tree care. The course is an integral part of the training necessary to broaden career opportunities for the forest technician.
III. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES III. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
1. Describe in writing the major benefits of the urban forest.
2. Demonstrate in the field and in writing an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of trees.
3. Understand & describe in writing how tree decay develops from wounds, pruning & other common injuries.
4. Demonstrate in the field the proper use of ropes, knots and safe tree climbing techniques.
5. Demonstrate the proper techniques used in tree pruning, training, and tree repair.
6. Understand the proper procedures and factors involved in plant selection.
7. Demonstrate the procedures for transplanting balled and other forms of planting stock.
8. Understand the procedures for diagnosing tree problems and symptoms of common tree pests & diseases.
9. Understand the procedures for determining nutrient needs and how to apply fertilizers and water.
10. Demonstrate the procedures for conducting an urban forest inventory.
11. Describe in writing the processes used to determine the monetary value of individual urban trees.
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Lecture, discussion, audio-visual materials, special projects, guest speakers, field review and laboratory assignments will be used during this course.V. REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLIES V. REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLIES
Lloyd, John. et. al. 1997. Plant Health Care for Woody Ornamentals, Champaign, Ill. Printec Press.
Lilly, Sharon. 1998. Tree Climbers' Guide, Hagerstown, IN, Exponent Publishers, Inc.
Other Optional References:
International Society of Arboriculture, Tree Pruning Guidelines, 1995.
Jepson, Jeff. 1997. The Tree Climber's Companion, Longville, MN. Beaver Tree Publishing.
Harris, R. et. al. 1999. Arboriculture: Integrated management of landscape trees, shrubs, and vines, 3rd Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall.
Required Equipment -
| Hardhat with chin strap |
| Safety-toe Boots |
| Work Gloves |
| Safety Glasses |
Optional Equipment - Durable raincoat, Clipboard
VI. GRADING POLICY Grades will be determined as follows:1. Tests (2) 20%
2. Final Exam 10%
3. Lab reports (3) 20%
4. Reports/article reviews (4) 20% See attached page.
5. Quizzes and attendance 20%
6. Final field exam 10%
Scale: A = Above 90%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; Below 60% = F
VII. ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNMENT POLICY
Each student is expected to attend each class and lab scheduled for this course. For DSLCC attendance policy, see the Academic Catalog, page 37. When absence becomes necessary, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor prior to the absence whenever possible. It is also the responsibility of the student for the missed instruction and handout materials. Any instruction missed will affect the grade of the student. Any absence by the student that has not been discussed with the instructor by the student before the absence or immediately upon return to campus is considered "unexcused" and any missed tests or quizzes cannot be "made-up", and a grade of "0" will be assigned.
No make-up tests or exams from an unavoidable absence will be administered without making prior arrangements with the instructor. No quiz or exercise may be made up without making prior arrangements with the instructor. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped and not averaged into the final grade. A missed quiz will count as the dropped grade.
Class attendance will be recorded and tabulated as a percentage and will be considered a quiz grade. 100% = 0 absences; 95% = 1 absence; 90% = 2 absences; etc. in increments of 5% per absence.
All work assignments will have a DUE DATE. Grades for the assignment will be lowered one letter grade for each 24-hour period the work is submitted past the DUE DATE up to 4 days. After 4 calendar days a "0" will be assigned.
Withdrawal: A student can withdraw from the course without academic penalty within the first eight (8) weeks of the semester. Otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "F". Merely not attending class DOES NOT constitute withdrawal from the course. Refer to the DSLCC catalog for complete procedures for withdrawal.
Enrollment: VCCS policy prohibits enrolling in a failed or non-completed course more than twice unless mitigating circumstances exist.
Fire Policy: In case the building needs to be evacuated during the class period, exit Room 385, turn left and proceed straight out the outside doors.
Fall Academic Calendar:
Classes begin: Monday, August 23, 2004
Labor Day Holiday (No classes) Monday, September 6, 2004
Last Day to Add/Drop or receive refund Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Semester Break (No classes) Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Last Day to Withdraw without Academic Penalty Tuesday, October 25, 2004
Thanksgiving Holiday (No classes) Wed. Nov. 24 - Fri. Nov. 26, 2004
Last Day of classes Friday, December 10, 2004
Final Exams (reading days, snow make-up) Dec. 14 - Dec. 17, 2004
Conduct and Behavior Policy:
Inappropriate conduct and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in the classroom or during lab period. As a student in this college course you are a representative of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and the instructor expects that your conduct will reflect that. Failure to conduct yourself in a mature, responsible manner may result in a grade penalty and/or expulsion from the course.
The following rules are in effect each time this course meets for class and lab and during the transportation between the DSLCC campus and the outdoor field sites.
1. You will treat fellow students and staff members courteously, respecting the personal rights of others.
2. You will respect the personal property rights of others. This includes appropriate care of facilities and materials belonging to DSLCC.
3. Possession and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs is prohibited.
4. Walkmans, radios, video games, beepers, cell phones, etc. are not allowed during labs or lectures. If emergency conditions exist, the instructor can make exceptions for communications needs when requested.
5. The instructor recognizes the importance of social interaction between and among groups of students, but this interaction is not to interfere with class (lecture or lab) activities. Please be polite and considerate of others who desire to listen and take notes.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - URBAN FORESTRY - FOR 265
* PHC refers to Plant Health Care textbook; TCG : Tree Climbers' Guide;
Week 1 Lab 1 Urban setting - (Covington)
Introduction to Urban Forestry & Arboriculture (Chapter 1 PHC)
Uses of Trees in the Urban Setting, Urban Tree ID
Week 2 Lab 2 Benefits of the Urban Forest - (Lexington)
City Tree Ordinances
Urban Tree Evaluation; Inventory Procedures
Week 3 Lab 3 Tree Inventory - DSLCC
Basic Woody Plant Biology - above ground (Chapter 2 PHC), (Chapter 1 - TCG)
Basic Woody Plant Biology - below ground
Week 4 Lab 4 Tree Root Excavation - (DSLCC)
Trees, Stress, and Pests (Chapter 3 PHC)
CODIT (Chapter 1 - TGC)
Week 5 Lab 5 Safety, tools, rope and knots - (DSLCC) (Chapter 2 - TCG)
TEST 1 (10%)
Evaluating the Planting Site
Week 6 Lab 6 Practice climbing with ropes - (DSLCC) (Chapter 3 - TCG)
Soil, Water, and Nutrient Characteristics
Plant Selection
Week 7 Lab 7 Semester Break, no lab
Semester break, no class
Planting Methods and Care (Chapter 5 PHC)
Week 8 Lab 8 Climbing- (DSLCC)
Post Planting Care and Fertilizing
Pruning Principles and Techniques (Chapter 5 PHC), (Chapter 4 - TCG)
Week 9 Lab 9 Digging, transplanting, staking - (DSLCC)
Training Young Trees
Pruning Mature Trees
Week 10 Lab 10 Pruning (Bartlett)
Tree repair and lightning protection (Chapter 7 - TCG)
TEST 2 (10%)
Week 11 Lab 11 Pruning - (DSLCC)
Principles of tree diseases (Chapter 7 PHC)
Tree diseases
Week 12 Lab 12 Repairs, Protection and Pruning - (DSLCC)
Principles of Tree Insects (Chapter 8 PHC)
Insect damage
Week 13 Lab 13 Pruning - (DSLCC)
Diagnosing Tree Disorders (Chapter 6 PHC)
Common Tree Disorders
Week 14 Lab 14 Diagnosing Tree Disorders
Avoiding Tree-People Conflicts
No Class (Thanksgiving)
Week 15 Lab 15 Rigging for Removal- (DSLCC)
Disease reports
Insect reports
Week 16 Lab 16 Lab Final Field Exam (Climbing) - (DSLCC)
Make-up
Review for FINAL EXAM - time and date to be announced