Management of Trees and Forest Environments

This course introduces concepts of plant architecture and the development of the entire plant (stem and root) as part of an assessment of tree health and function, with a view to implementing management practices tailored to specific objectives. The assessment and management of trees are guided by different criteria depending on the context (forest, orchard, or urban). The following topics will be covered both theoretically and practically, with hands-on exercises. (1) Overview of morphology and concepts of whole-plant architecture, (2) Tree life cycles and growth stages, (3) Stressors (competition, pruning, pests and diseases) and architectural responses, (4) Hands-on exercises in assessing forest, fruit, and urban trees.

"Based on observations of tree structure, tree lines, or forest stands: (1) be able to determine their condition relative to a reference developmental sequence; (2) be able to assess whether the observed growth is consistent with the observed stage of development; (3) identify the presence or absence of reaction structures and diagnose the architectural condition of an individual tree; (4) Compile a summary of the trees’ condition and make management recommendations."

Concepts in Plant Morphology

Comprehensive ongoing assessment: 100%