Qualification -Advanced Certificate Applied Management (Arboriculture)

Arboriculture Distance Education Course

• Start or improve an Arboriculture Business
• Become a team leader or manager of trees

Modules

Note that each module in the Qualification -Advanced Certificate Applied Management (Arboriculture) is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

What is Arboriculture?
Arboriculture deals with tree management. Arborists select, plant, maintain and manage trees in private and public landscapes. Their work includes tree pruning, transplanting and removal. They use specialised tree surgery techniques, such as bracing, crown thinning and crown renewal, to ensure public safety and to preserve important trees in the landscape. They are able to evaluate and assess tree health and monetary value, and are often involved in landscape preservation and rehabilitation schemes.

Trees are all too often the forgotten giants of our garden areas.  A shrub or ground cover plant is far closer to the human eye than a tree, and all too often these plants get the majority of our attention because they are so easily seen.  With trees it often seems to be "out of sight, out of mind".

Trees in actual fact, are 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 though, 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!

The only real way to avoid a catastrophe with a tree is to closely monitor the plant.  It should probably be checked (on average) once every six to twelve months.  If any problems are found, they should be treated right away.  They are not monitored and no one knows their condition.  They may last for a hundred years; they may die or blow over within six months.  In studying this subject, you have a responsibility to monitor the trees you are seeing and let people know of their condition.

Things Everyone Should Know about Trees
One of the biggest problems with a tree is being planted originally in the wrong position.  Some examples of this are as follows:

• People are misinformed of the spread and height of a tree when they plant it.  They plant 60ft trees under power lines and the SEC 'hacks' them away from the wires.  They plant very tall trees up against the wall of a house and branches rub on the roof dislodging tiles etc.
• Trees which cause damage to drainage or sewer pipes are planted too close to the pipes.  The pipes then become blocked and either the tree has to be removed or regular expense is incurred as the pipes are cleaned out.
• Trees which have damaging root systems are planted too close to paving or building foundations.  Walls can be lifted and cracked, paths or driveways destroyed etc.
• Often a tree which is expected to grow to 6 m is planted in the front of a window for shade.  When it reaches 20 m, the room it is shading has become so dark that a light must be turned on, even on bright sunny days.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES?