Amenity Tree Assessment and Management

Subject HORT30010 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours of lectures, 20 hours of practicals/seminars and 4 hour field trip
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is the University policy to take all steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a students participation in the university’s programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to laboratory activities and field trips. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

Email : denisej@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

The aim of the subject is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the assessment and management of individual and groups of trees in urban settings. Students will evaluate and compare methods of tree assessment. Students should gain an appreciation of the complexities of tree management for amenity sites.

Topics to be studied are:

  • the evaluation and comparison of methods of tree assessment including the visual tree assessment (VTA) method;

  • the evaluation and comparison of methods for the detection of decay and structural defects in trees;

  • an appraisal of the management of amenity trees for different purposes, for example, street trees, historically significant trees, trees on private properties, trees in various other types of public open spaces;

  • an appraisal of the management of amenity trees with different structural forms and anatomy, for example dicotyledonous trees versus monocotyledonous trees, decurrent versus excurrent trees;

  • an appraisal of the management and protection of the roots of trees with different structural forms and tolerances;

  • an evaluation of tree pathology and tree health problems in a wide range of amenity trees and sites;and

  • tree selection principles as applied to street trees, private properties and public open spaces.

Objectives: On completion students should gain an appreciation of the complexities of tree management for urban sites. At the conclusion of the subject students should be able to demonstrate their understanding of tree assessment, tree valuation methods and a range of tree health problems and their management.
Assessment: Major assignment 50% (maximum 5000 words), seminar presentation 20%, reports 30%.
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees Shrubs and Vines (R W Harris, J R Clark and N P Matheny), Prentice Hall, 2004
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

This course encompasses particular generic skills. On completion of the course students should:

  • be able to evaluate and synthesise professional literature
  • solve problems relating to the diagnosis, care and management of urban trees.

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