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DISTANCE LEARNING AUSTRALIAN NATIVE TREES |
Are you interested in learning more about Australia's native trees?
This course first teaches you about different types of Australian flora, plant identification, information sources, planting, feeding, soils, pests & diseases, watering, propagation and transplanting.
The remaining lessons then deal with selected varieties of trees, windbreak planting, agroforestry, tree maintenance and tree selection.
TREE IDENTIFICATION is a high priority throughout the entire course.
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of native trees, information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
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Culture
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Planting, Establishing techniques, Soils, Feeding, Watering, Pest & Disease control etc.
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Propagation
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Seed Propagation, Propagation of Eucalypts and Acacias, How To Collect Native Tree, Seed, How To Germinate Native Tree & Shrub Seed, etc.
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Important groups of native trees (excluding Eucalypts)
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Review of more than 100 genera, special study of the Acacias.
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More Important Groups
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Eucalyptus, Other particularly hardy & fast growing genera, Diagnosing Tree Problems, Introduction to Tree Surgery.
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Other Varieties
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Native Conifers, Rainforest Trees, etc.
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Making The Best Use of Native Trees
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Landscape applications, Biological Control of Pest & Disease, Cut Flowers, Firewood, Timber, etc.
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Special Assignment (on one selected plant or group).
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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To identify Australian Native Trees
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To describe the culture of Australian Native Trees.
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To propagate Australian Native Trees
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Compare characteristics and cultural requirements of different commonly grown species of Australian Native Trees.
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Compare characteristics and cultural requirements of conifer and rainforest species of Australian Native Trees.
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Describe a range of uses for Australian native trees.
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Study one type of Australian Native Tree in depth.
IMPORTANT REASONS FOR HAVING TREES ON FARMS -OR ELSEWHERE
Erosion control
Trees help control or reduce erosion in several ways, including:
• By their roots binding soil particles together.
• By acting as windbreaks, decreasing the winds’ ability to dislodge and move soil particles.
• Acting as a physical barrier trapping moving soil particles.
• Reducing the erosive potential of rainfall by providing a protective cover over the soil below.
• Intercepting rainfall, which then either:
1. Evaporates back into the atmosphere without ever reaching the ground,
2. Drips slowly from the tree foliage reducing the potential for surface runoff (longer time available for water to infiltrate into the soil), hence reducing the likelihood of surface erosion.
3. Flows down the branches, and trunk of the trees eventually reaching the ground, but with far less erosive power (energy) than if it dripped or fell directly onto the ground surface.
Lowering watertables
Trees help lower water tables reducing water logging of surface soils and salinity problems. Clear felling in farm stations has resulted in the rising of water tables to the detriment of crops and other native plants. This has become a major problem for vast areas of Australia. Sodic soil hinders roots development, and nutrient and water uptake due to high salt content.
Sheltering stock
Trees provide vital shelter for farm animals. Stock suffering from heat stress are more likely to pollute dams and waterways. Research shows that shelter can improve milk production, ram fertility and stock liveweight. Shelter also reduces deaths of lambs and sheep from exposure during cold or wet weather.
Windbreaks
Windbreaks protect grazing animals and crops from wind borne debris (e.g. damaging sand particles). They also help protect against cold or hot winds that can damage crops, and require stock to expend a lot of energy trying to cool or warm their bodies, rather than using the energy to produce more growth (increasing yields).
Timber
This could be in commercial plantations. Soft wood timbers are commonly planted by forestry departments to keep up with the building industry demands. Some pioneer farmers have been planting native timbers, not only of gums, but of other prized timbers that are no longer harvested from rainforests. The concept of planting your own superannuation plan has become popular for individuals with adequate land and suitable soil. Timber harvested on your own land may also be used for fencing and other simple structures around the property. Some people have been known to harvest their own timbers to build their own home.
Firewood
Firewood may be grown both for on farm use, or as a commercial crop. This reduces the reliance on our remnant forests. The firewood may also be smoulder-burned to supply charcoal to the nursery and other industries.
Fodder
Some tree species may provide supplementary feed for livestock, particularly during harsh times such as drought.
Honey production
Native and exotic trees can be used for the purpose of honey production. Distinctive flavours can be marketed such as sugar gum, leatherwood, yellow box, etc.
Improving Soils
Leguminous trees (eg. Acacias, Casuarinas, Robinia, Honey Locust, Cassia), increase levels of nitrogen in soils through the action of nitrogen fixing bacteria on their roots.
Most trees, like other deep rooted plants, are capable of taking nutrients from deep in the soil profile and lifting them up into the leaves which in turn fall to the ground. This in affect acts as a recycling system for nutrients that have been leached deep into the soil profile.
Increasing Rainfall
It has been reported that treed districts will receive more rainfall than near-by non-treed districts in the same area. These reports are based on large land areas, not small acreage lots. In high altitude areas the foliage canopy of tall trees may at times penetrate cloud layers. Moisture from the clouds may condense on the tree foliage and drip to the ground, thereby effectively increasing rainfall in the area.
Firebreaks
Trees can be used to slow down fire -if they are the right type of tree
Wildlife habitat
Trees can be used to create wildlife corridors
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
