Caring for Trees and Shrubs Online - Start Anytime

Most people have all kinds of misconceptions about trees and shrubs. At best they are considered landscape “elements”, to be arranged into neat and tidy shapes and patterns and colour sequences. At worst they are treated like lumber.

But trees are intelligent living beings - and most outlive us by many hundreds of years! They adapt to their environment, including physical stressors such as wind, snow load, injury, loss of limbs, knowing exactly how and where - and in what direction - to create new branches to optimize light exposure and balance their highly sophisticated structures. Trees are also social beings, engaged in countless complex relationships with other organisms, which are vital to their wellbeing and long term survival.

If we want to enjoy the many benefits trees and shrubs can provide for us we need to learn to care for them properly. In this course we focus on the two practices with the greatest inherent potential for irreversible harm: planting and pruning. Soil fertility management is covered in the Organic Soil Management course.

Topics include:

• Plant selection, handling and storage
• Planting techniques for optimal plant health and long term survival
• Tree physiology
• Tree response to injury
• Pruning techniques that work with the tree’s natural processes
• Specialty pruning
• Fruit tree pruning
• Tool maintenance
• Industry standards for the care of woody plants
  

 This course is a big eye-opener for just about everyone.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.

Student Comment

This course has given me a much deeper understanding of garden and agroecosystems, how damaging conventional growing methods have been, and how a holistic organic approach offers many advantages, benefits and opportunities. Particularly, I'm grateful for the way you and the other instructors presented the practice of organic gardening within the context of a bigger picture, including ethical considerations and providing important reminders of the limits of the science.
Ian

$ 295.00

Fees include:

• Comprehensive on-line educational materials
• Unlimited access to our on-line community center, including libraries, discussion forums and much more.

Payment Options

By Mail	On-line
Cheque drawn on a Canadian bank
Money order in Canadian funds

Policies

Please be sure you are familiar with our policies.

There are no academic prerequisites for this course, however students must

• be proficient in English (written)
• be comfortable with current computer and internet technology
• have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
• have access to high-speed internet

Please note: the information in this course is an excerpt from the Organic Horticulture Specialist / Organic Master Gardener course. Students who are intending to take that course please do so, as we do not give credit towards the OHS/OMG for partial completion of the curriculum.

Student Comments

I have to tell you how much I am enjoying these classes. Up to now I've taken other courses which have covered much of the same material, but this time things are really clicking. I'm understanding more and retaining more of the information. I'm more aware of the implications of going organic not just in gardening but in other aspects of my life. It's like an epiphany. It sounds silly when I write it down, but it's made me so much more aware. Thank you.
Barb Bancroft, Vancouver

Thank you again for an awesome Organic Master Gardener Course. I feel very fortunate to be amongst the first graduating class. As I have said to you in person, the course has been life-changing for me, giving me a deeper, richer, more respectful and more aware relationship with my planet, ecosystem, and personal life.
Anne Finlay, Victoria

There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on the ability to synthesize information.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.

Student Comment

Thank you so much Heide, for your advice on this matter and also for the fabulous programs you have compiled.  This course really sparked my passion for gardening/landscaping into full flame.  I look forward to meeting you one day. This course has provided me with a new way to 'dig' my work, a challenging way to look at our whole industry.  I think this "Shifting Paradigm" is timely and necessary for those of us who love and honor Mother Earth!
Valerie Deakin

Today was our first class! I'm so impressed with the course material. Lots of substance and no fluff, just the way I like it! We viewed your DVD today on pesticides and it was so clear and concise. Thank you!
Tara Qua, Gabriola Island

There is no required text for this course.

A list of recommended texts is provided in the online resource library

Student Comment

The course has given me a larger vision: the ability to stand back and assess those practical aspects of drainage, soil structure, irrigation needs, compaction concerns, site features and utilization, plant health and landscape protection. These practical aspects must continuously be related to the ever-present consideration of nature's need to strive towards a more balanced approach.Working with nature has more meaning for me, and, I hope, for those students with whom I interact.
Laurie Hardy, College Instructor

While a number of professional societies and institutions provide continuing education credits for the classroom version of this course, we have not yet secured their commitment to extend those credits to the on-line course. In the meantime we will work with you on a case by case basis to support your application for continuing education credits.

Student Comment

I have found the program extremely helpful in operating my business. I now have a lot more knowledge and the confidence to make the right choices.
Michael Cowan, Organic Landscaper

Studying on-line is very different from learning in a face-to-face classroom setting. It may be more convenient – or for some it may be the only way they can take our courses - but it is definitely not easier.

The University of Illinois has provided some excellent pre-assessment information for potential on-line students. Please complete the online Self Evaluation:
http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/selfEval.asp

And please read the article entitled 'What Makes A Successful Online Student?'
http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp

If you have any doubts about your ability study independently then this course is probably not for you. Those who are able to commit themselves to this experience rest assured that our instructors are not only experts in organic horticulture, but are also experienced on-line facilitators. We will do our absolute best to ensure you have an interesting and fulfilling learning experience.

This is a time-limited, self-paced studies course

In the physical classroom setting this course is delivered over approximately 2.5 days (16 hours), including discussions and practice. So technically it should be possible to complete the online course over the same time period, but of course that is probably not realistic for everyone!  So we allow you 3 months to complete your studies at your own pace and receive a Certificate of Completion.

Even in this self-paced format you will have an interactive online “virtual classroom” which includes the potential for group interaction in structured discussions, but we cannot predict how many students will be studying at the same time. Of course the instructor is always available to answer questions and provide guidance.

And like all other Gaia College students, after your course is finished you will retain access to the vast learning resources available from our campus community center, including libraries and discussion forums.

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