UGA Bulletin Logo

Community Forestry and Arboriculture Field Practicum


Course Description

Students will gain experience completing tree inventory and risk assessment and evaluating biotic and abiotic factors affecting tree health. They visit production nurseries and learn how to select quality planting stock, prepare a planting site, and plant large caliper trees. They will be trained to work safely around power equipment and transmission lines.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to give a presentation at the conclusion of the course relating ongoing arboriculture and community forestry practices to current literature.


Athena Title

COFA Field Practicum


Non-Traditional Format

Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 25-50% of overall instructional time.


Prerequisite

COFA 5001/7001 or COFA 5301/7301-5301L/7301L


Semester Course Offered

Offered summer semester every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will meet with stakeholders to discuss project planning and ways to meld multiple objectives, and they will work on installation of a major tree installation project including tree selection, site preparation, planting, and post-planting care.
  • Students will gain experience inventorying and evaluating the condition of an urban forest through work with a local community and in utility and right-of-way maintenance.
  • Students will receive training in safe use of power tools and heavy equipment, young tree training, mature tree risk assessment, rehabilitation of damaged trees, soil and fertility management, and insect and disease assessment.

Topical Outline

  • Course introduction
  • Development and planning
  • Tree protection
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Managing soil physical conditions
  • Production nursery
  • Large tree installation
  • Inventory
  • Human performance and TCIA safety training
  • Mature tree management
  • Risk assessment
  • Pruning and rehabilitation
  • Cabling and bracing
  • Insect and disease management
  • Pesticide application and safety
  • Irrigation
  • Fertilization