Arboriculture and Community Forest Management

Department of Natural Resources Conservation

Contact: Dennis Ryan,
Program Coordinator
Office: 119 Holdsworth
Phone: (413) 545-6626
Email: dr@nre.umass.edu

The Arboriculture and Community Forest Management program prepares students for positions in park management, community forestry, and the urban tree service industry. They learn about the principles and practices of tree planting, mechanical injuries to trees, identification and control of tree insect pests, fertilizing, pruning, repair of storm- or otherwise damaged trees, removal of dead or undesirable trees, and administration of recreational land. The university campus of 1,450 acres serves as a laboratory for practical training. The Massachusetts Arborists, the Massachusetts Tree Wardens, and the National Arborist associations have all approved this educational program.

Course of Study

First Semester
*ENVIRDES 335 Plants in Landscape (4 cr)
FOREST 102 Aerial Techniques (2 cr)
*FOREST 332 Principles of Arboriculture I
PLSOILIN 102 Introductory Botany (4 cr)
PLSOILIN 105 Soils (4 cr)

Second Semester (7 wks)
PLSOILIN 101 Insects and Related Forms (2 cr)
FOREST 191A Seminar in Arboriculture (2 cr)
*FOREST 198 Internship (April-August) (4 cr)
FOREST 210 Principles of Arboriculture II (2 cr)
LANDCONT 105 Landscape Drafting (2 cr)
PLSOILIN 103 Plant Science (1.5 cr)
RES-ECON 141 Consumer Marketing (2 cr)

Third Semester
*PLSOILIN 109 Insects of Ornamentals *FOREST 305 Private Tree Business or *NRC 100 The Environment and Society Math by placement exam (2-3 cr)
*PLSOILIN 111 Horticultural Plant Pathology
PLSOILIN 113 Plant Pathology (Woody Plants) Lab (1 cr)
PLSOILIN 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management
ELECTIVE (Optional) (2-3 cr)

Fourth Semester
ENGLISH 120 English Composition
FOREST 297 Forests and People (2 cr)
*FOREST 310 Urban Forestry
RES-ECON 142 People in Organizations
ELECTIVE (Approved by Coordinator) (2-3 cr)
FOREST 211 Principles of Arboriculture III (2 cr)
or
PLSOILIN 235 Pruning Fruit Crops (2 cr)

* A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses.