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CCOG for LAT 240 Spring 2024

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Course Number:
LAT 240
Course Title:
Tree Care
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
30

Course Description

Introduces principles and practices of modern arboriculture (tree care). Covers cabling and bracing, fertilization, tree appraisals, construction protection, hazard tree management and pruning. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This course if designed to give the student a practical, but partial background in modern arboriculture.  Students will learn through outdoor labs how to prune, fertilize, and cable trees, in addition to tree appraising, hazard tree evaluation, and construction protection.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of how pruning affects tree growth and health.
  2. Identify pruning techniques and systems.
  3. Understand the interaction between soils, fertilization, and trees.
  4. Understand the factors involved in tree appraisal and hazard tree evaluation.

Course Activities and Design

The Instructor prepares hands-on labs before class (e.g. find sites, order and stage materials, prep site). During the lab period, the Instructor teaches tree care and arboriculture skills through active demonstrations in real time. Students then perform arboriculture skills with the Instructor's guidance and receive verbal feedback as they work. Students prepare reports on the lab activities and related experiences (see course project) and are tested on the skills learned in lab. The reports and tests are submitted and the Instructor evaluates the reports and tests outside of class time - providing a score and feedback on technical accuracy, completeness and professionalism.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Written mid-term and final exams
  • End of term written project or oral presentation
  • Performance competencies

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • Pruning
  • Fertilization
  • Tree Appraisal
  • Cabling and Bracing
  • Construction Protection
  • Hazard Tree Management