Managing Urban Trees

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

In addition to face-to-face teaching time of 42 hours, students should expect to undertake a minimum of 170 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject aims to provide students with the tools to critically evaluate methods used to manage trees in the urban forest. The content will include critically evaluating tree assessment, evaluation and tree protection methods. It will include the study of planning and management issues and the role of community participation in urban forest management. It includes examples of methods used to map and survey trees in the urban forest. The subject will be delivered through attendance at a six day intensive workshop, followed by a 10 week period of on-line tutorials and assessment.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• critically evaluate tree risk, tree vitality and related issues with reference to relevant methods
• discuss various ecosystem services trees provide for the urban forest
• develop a range of management strategies for trees in the urban environment
• analyse a topic and present a seminar on an area of arboricultural interest
• communicate tree management plans to relevant stakeholders
• critically evaluate research relevant to the management of urban trees

• Seminar presentation (15 minutes) - 20%
• Short tests/examinations (3 x 30 minutes duration) - 30%
• Arboricultural report (4000 words in length) - 50% (draft 10%, final 40%)

Nil

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Though participation in all class activities and completion of assessment students should acquire skills in:

• Technical and discipline areas; for example, through participation in class activities and seminar discussion
• Investigation and analysis; for example, through the development of a tree management plan
• Critical thinking and problem solving; for example, through the development of a tree management plan
• Time and organisational management with the successful scheduling of assessment
• Oral presentation skills through their seminar presentation