Course CodeBHT106Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Gain skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat tree disorders This is the perfect course for people wishing to gain a foundation knowledge of tree care and maintenance, whether for enhancing a garden maintenance service as an introduction to working in tree services. Learn to deal with pest, diseases, nutritional deficiencies, water problems effectively. Save money with correct identification of tree disorder Improve your safety with correct tree surgery practices Increase produce with correct pruning and training procedures Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 Workplace Health and 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. What You Will Do Distinguish between plants in order to identify at 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 three 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. WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES AN ARBORIST USE? An extensive knowledge of the types of equipment used by the professional arborist is essential to run a successful business. This includes personal protection equipment as well as that designed for specialised tree maintenance. Costs involved in the purchase of this equipment can range from inexpensive items such as pruners to large capital outlay for a mulcher and stump grinder, so before starting a business in this field it is important to research the type of equipment available as well as the expected financial outlay. The essentials for any tree work, even a very small job, will be a good pair of secateurs and a hand saw. Secateurs These are hand‑held cutting implements which cut when the handles are squeezed, and spring open when released. There are two main types: Scissor cut ‑ where the cutting action is achieved by two blades shearing past each other. The scissor cut is clean and doesn't bruise the plant provided the tool is kept in condition. Anvil cut ‑ where a sharp blade comes straight down on a flat (anvil) surface. This type generally cuts more easily than the scissor type but can bruise or tear if the blade is not kept very sharp. Hand Saws Pruning saws ‑ These generally have teeth designed to cut moist living timber; the teeth being generally larger than those on saws used for cutting furniture or construction timber. There are two types of pruning saws: Straight blade which allows variation in the type of cut according to the type and size of the material being cut. Curved blade with teeth on one side. This curved saw is generally used by the experts because the curved blade allows access to restricted areas such as near closely interlocking branches. Bow saws ‑These are, as the name implies, bow shaped. These saws are light weight, easy to use, have replaceable blades, and coarse teeth which provide a fast cut when the blades are in good condition. This type of saw is popular for pruning branches that are too thick for the light pruning saws. Carpenters saws ‑There is great variation in the types of saws used in carpentry work. Generally they have finer teeth compared to the pruning and bow saws and these are generally set to give a narrower cut. This is because they are mainly used for cutting processed timber (ie. dried, milled, heat pressed and treated, etc) where a narrower, finer cut, in comparison to pruning cuts, is required. These saws are predominantly straight‑edged with teeth only on one edge of the saw. Power tools are essential when working with trees; without them, work would be inefficient and, in today’s world, unprofitable. Power equipment does, however, bring risks and other potential problems (e.g. breakdowns) along with the benefits. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS COURSE? This course provides valuable information for people who wish to work in roles such as: Horticulturist Gardener Tree surgeon Arborist Labourer for tree care team Farmer Landscaping or Gardening business It will also be of value to anyone involved with care and maintenance of trees or who wants to add tree pruning and care to their skillset e.g. for a garden maintenance or landscape business.