Lesson Structure: Diploma in Applied Management (Arboriculture) VBS001

This course is comprised of 7 modules plus 200 hours workplace project:

Core studies – Four modules (400 hours) of compulsory subjects for all students.

Elective studies – Three stream modules for the development of knowledge in arboriculture

Project – a workplace project of 200 hrs relevant to your field of study. The project specifically aims to provide the student with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge developed through various areas of formal study. Contact the academy for more information.

Please note:  the Core modules and Streamed modules may be studied in any order.

Core Modules:

Business Operations VBS106

• Introduction
• Finance
• Financial Records
• Financial Management
• Business Planning
• Mistakes to Avoid

Management VBS105

• Introduction to Organisational Structures
• Theories and Procedures of Management
• Problem Solving and Making Decisions
• Management Styles and External Influences
• Employing People and Interview Skills
• Staff Management
• Ethics and Equity

Marketing Foundations VBS109

• Marketing and the Business
• Scope of Marketing Understanding basic economics (eg. supply & demand)
• Target Marketing
• The Marketing Mix and Managing the Marketing Effort
• Product Presentation and Packaging
• Promotion Communication skills
• Product Pricing and Distribution Pricing
• Customer Service Methods of assessing customer satisfaction
• Market Research
• Organisations

Nature Park Management

• Introduction to Nature Park Management
• Basic Ecology
• Soil Management in Nature Parks
• Plant Maintenance – basic gardening techniques
• Design of Nature/Wilderness Parks I
• Design of Nature/Wilderness Parks II
• Weed Management
• Pest and Disease Management
• Culture of Indigenous Plants
• Tree Management
• Turf Care
• Rehabilitation: Problems and Solutions

Stream Modules

Studied after the core modules, stream modules cover more specific or niche subjects. All 3 stream modules to be completed:

Arboriculture I BHT106

• Introduction to Arboriculture
• Tree Biology
• Soils In Relation to Trees
• Diagnosing Tree Problems
• Tree Surgery
• Pruning of Trees
• Arboriculture Equipment
• Workplace Health & Safety

Arboriculture II BHT208

• Planting Techniques
• Controlling Plant Problems
• Strengthening Weak Trees
• Controlling Damage Caused by Plants
• Tree Felling and Stump Removal
• Tolerant Plant Species
• Establishing a Tree Plantation

Trees For Rehabilitation BHT205

• Approaches to Land Rehabilitation
• Ecology of Soils and Plant Health
• Introduction to Seed Propagation Techniques
• Propagation and Nursery Stock
• Dealing with Chemical Problems
• Physical Plant Effects on Degraded Sites
• Plant Establishment Programs
• Hostile Environments
• Rehabilitating Degraded Sites
• Plant Establishment Care

Please see lesson titles for your learning goals.

Practicals:   What you will learn

• Learn to distinguish between plants in order to identify at least 50 trees.
• Develop a standard tree report form, customised for surveying the condition and use of trees in your locality.
• Explain how to different soil related problems that can effect trees.
• Develop a twelve month program, for managing a health problem detected by you in an established tree.
• Demonstrate bridge grafting across a bark wound.
• Distinguish between different methods of pruning including: Canopy reduction, Cleaning out, Topiary, Espaliering
• Determine the minimum equipment required to commence business as a tree surgeon.
• Compare different chainsaws, to determine appropriate applications for each.
• Determine legislation which is relevant to a specific arborist in a workplace which you visit.
• Explain how to plant a specified advanced-sized tree on a specific site.
• Explain tree injection, including the technique and applications.
• Identify situations where trees require strengthening operations to be carried out.
• Compare different ways to control roots which invade underground pipes.
• Calculate the cost of removing a specified tree.
• Determine five appropriate tree species suited to a specific site visited and analysed.
• Devise a method for removing a tree, including tree felling and stump removal.
• Analyse three specimens of mature trees, from each of five different genera,
• to detect any patterns in problems occurring in those trees.
• Develop criteria for the establishment of a tree plantation on a specific site which
• addresses; site restrictions, cost and function.
• Compare different approaches to land rehabilitation, to determine strengths and
• weaknesses of alternative options on a site to be rehabilitated.
• Determine techniques to maximise plant development in land rehabilitation situations.
• Explain the different ways of producing seedling trees for land rehabilitation purposes.
• Determine appropriate plant establishment programs.
• Develop procedures to care for plants, during establishment in an hostile environment.
• Manage the rehabilitation of degraded soil.
• Explain the effect of plants on improving a degraded site, both physically and chemically.
• Determine ways to better manage staff, administration and finance within an aboricultural enterprise
• Determine improvements for the marketing of an arboricultural enterprise

The tutors for this course are:

Susan Stephenson
BSc in Applied Plant Biology (Botany) Univ. London 1983.
City and guilds: Garden Centre Management, Management and Interior Decor (1984)
Management qualifications in training with retail store. Diploma in Hort level 2 (RHS General) Distinction. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

Opportunities for a career with Trees
Arborists; tradesmen and professionals are employed to work in:

• parks departments,
• forestry,
• municipal parks and gardens,
• commercial and private gardens
• street trees,
• plant nurseries, etc.

Career Pathways

• Qualifications are important but, so are knowledge and experience. Don’t dismiss their importance
• It is a mistake to assume that apprenticeships alone will guarantee long term career success
• Volunteering,  a great way to get started
• starting as an “assistants” in a plant nursery or garden, is an excellent way to learn more about trees
• Some start with a course like this or anyone of our general horticultural courses
• If you have some experience caring for trees, some knowledge about identifying plants, and are familiar with horticultural science;
  you will be able to compete for job opportunities when they arise. The secret is to be in the right place
  at the right time.  Important to get noticed; and that requires persistence and networking.
• People who learn and have solid knowledge and skills, are the people who advance through the ranks,
  getting promoted to eventually become a manager, consultant or business owner.