10001110Tree Biology
Course Information
Description
An overview of the tree system with an emphasis on growth and development, compartmentalization of wounds, and how the tree adapts to the urban environment. Includes plant functions, physiology, adaptations, root systems, planting, and basic risk assessment. Diagnose health and structural abnormalities and follow the process to plant a tree. 
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Associate fundamental plant functions with their anatomical features
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercise, written lab report
    Criteria
    Identify anatomical features of woody plant
    Describe different protection zones within woody plants
    Differentiate where protection zones are found and their functions
    Identify roots and root systems, stem tissue, branch tissue, buds and leaves
    Identify tissues of a tree’s vascular system
    Describe storage support of plant features
    Relate development of leaves to food production
    Describe key differences between vegetative cells and animal cells
    Associate urban conditions with root systems and their development
    Identify conflict in urban landscape and how it affects tree growth
    Distinguish between reproductive and vegetative development and growth in buds
    Illustrate features in lab journal

  2. Predict responses to wounding
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercise, written lab report
    Criteria
    Predict a woody plant’s response to different types of wounding
    Explain the compartmentalization of decay
    Identify common mechanisms of injury in the urban environment
    Identify outward signs and symptoms of decay
    Demonstrate target pruning cuts to minimize injury

  3. Analyze internal responses to decay in multi-dimensional fashions
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercise, written lab report
    Criteria
    Illustrate the four walls of CODIT (vertical spread, radial, lateral, compartmentalization)
    Analyze a tree’s response to wounds

  4. Differentiate plant adaptations based on species and site
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercise, written lab report
    Criteria
    Identify conflict in urban landscape and how it affects tree growth
    Identify barriers to root growth in an urban setting
    Relate limitations of soil volume to plant health
    Relate nutrient deficiencies to plant growth and development

  5. Perform tree inspection and evaluation of tree risk
    Assessment Strategies
    Outdoor field inspection
    Criteria
    Assess structural integrity of trees
    Identify tree hazards and defects
    Evaluation explains the risks for the given site conditions
    Use the ISA tree risk assessment standards
    Evaluation includes an overall score based on the ISA tree risk assessment standards

  6. Plant and establish trees
    Assessment Strategies
    Project
    Criteria
    You install tree following the ANS300 planting standard
    Compare and contrast types of support systems and stock types
    Compare balled and burlapped, container and bare root nursery stock
    Assess site and soil
    Prepare site
    Dig holes
    Water newly planted trees
    Contrast the benefits between types of stock planting methods