Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog
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AGH 281 - Arboriculture

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
A study of tree culture with emphasis on propagation, pruning, transplanting, pest control, urban environmental concerns and recognition of hazards and liabilities. Methods of evaluation of values also studied.
Prerequisite: AGH 106   or BIO 104  orBIO 112  or BIO 135  or BIO 138  or BIO 145  
Competencies
  1. Calcualte the value of a tree using the formula method.
    1. Determine the cross-sectional area of any given tree in square inches using the correct mathematical formulas if given either the circumference or the diameter.
    2. Calculate base dollar value using current lumber price times area in square inches.
    3. Read the percent value for species from the species list.
    4. Estimate the percent value for location using position in the landscape.
    5. Estimate the percent value for condition by using observations.
    6. Multiply base dollar value by percentage vlues for species, location and condition to calculate final value.
  2. Calculate the value of a tree using the replacement method.
    1. Acquire the price of a 4” caliper of the same species as the original tree within a 500 mile radius of the site of the original tree.
    2. Acquire the estimated cost to transport the tree from source to site of original tree.
    3. Determine the costs to remove any and all of the original tree parts, planting of the replacement tree, and any agreed upon values for follow up care for agreed number of years.
    4. Add to fixed costs any additional accrued value based on a percentage of total of cost, transport, and care added over several years, percentage and number of years usually determined by law.
  3. List other values of trees/shrubs.
    1. Identify evenironmental values.
    2. Identify landscape values.
  4. Review the physical anatomy of a tree/shrub.
    1. Identify potential for root development relative to both physical characteristics of a soil and potential microbe community.
    2. Identify potential for stem development relative to soil, microclimate exposures, species characteristics, and precipitation patterns.
    3. Identify potential for canopy development relative to soil, microclimate exposures, species characteristics, and precipitation patterns.
    4. Identify potential for both flower and fruit development relative to soil, microclimate exposure, species characteristics, precipitation patterns,a nd temperature ranges/fluctations.
  5. Assess the physical factors of any given location to determine the correctness of the site for the placement of a tree/shrub.
    1. Compare microclimate exposures.
    2. Identify previous land usage impact on surface and internal drainage characteristics of soils at the site.
    3. Evaluate soil physical properties to determine potential influence on tree/shrub establishment and growth.
  6. Match the right tree/shrub to any particular location/site.
    1. Identify the growth requirements of a selected tree species.
    2. Compare site assets to growth requirements of selected tree.
  7. List the proper planting times of year for specific tree/shrub groups and associated root packaging offerings.
    1. Identify the proper planting times for deciduous trees/shrubs.
    2. Identify the proper planting times for narrow-leaved evergreen trees/shrubs.
    3. Identify the proper planting times for broad-leaved evergreen shrubs.
    4. Identify the proper planting time for bare-root, balled and burlaped, and container grown/containerized trees/shrubs.
    5. Identify the proper planting time for fleshy rooted trees/shrubs.
    6. Explain the importance of these proper planting times relative to transplanting success.
  8. Define successful transplanting of a tree/shrub.
    1. Recognize the diagnostic sequence dealing with tree insects/diseases
    2. State the diagnostic equipment used in each step of the sequence
    3. Point out the benefits of a diagnostic questionnaire to an arborist
  9. List the correct sequence of all of the proper steps in transplanting a tree/shrub.
    1. Identify the proper digging of the planting hole.
    2. Identify the proper setting of the tree/shrub.
    3. Identify the proper soil amendments.
    4. Identify the proper back filling procedures.
    5. Identify all additional follow-up steps in transplanting a tree/shrub.
  10. List the four major reasons for fertilizing a tree/shrub and the proper season for each.
  11. Explain how to fertilize a tree/shrub.
    1. Identify the potential root spread of a tree/shrub.
    2. Compute the soil surface area of the potential root spread.
    3. Compute the size of the tree/shrub to determine the amount of fertilizer needed.
    4. Select the correct method of application for the chosen amount and analysis of fertilizer.
  12. Perform correct pruning of trees/shrubs.
    1. Assess tree/shrub condition/vigor.
    2. Determine pruning needs on basis of tree/shrub vigor/condition.
    3. Select proper pruning equipment.
    4. Demonstrate proper pruning techniques.
    5. Explain the advantages/disadvantages of each season (4) regarding tree/shrub response to pruning.
  13. Explain risks versus benefits when considering preservation and/or repair efforts on trees.
    1. Differentiate between preservation and repair.
    2. Assess the condition of a tree.
    3. Determine the feasibility of perservation.
    4. Determine the feasibility fo repair.
    5. Identify potential target(s) in the eventuality of failure of the tree.
    6. Compare potential for damages to costs to implement repairs.
  14. Identify tree/shrub diagnostic procedures for insect and/or disease problems.
    1. Identify the diagnostic sequence.
    2. Describe the diagnostic equipment used in each step of the sequence.
    3. State the benefits of a diagnostic questionnaire to an arborist.



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