Tree Courses
TREE IDENTIFICATION AND APPRECIATION COURSE
BIG TREE MEASUREMENT COURSE
ALIEN INVASIVES PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & AWARENESS COURSE
BECOME A MEMBER
BUY A TREE TAG
Leave it to the Leaves
To promote knowledge of our trees, training courses are offered in the subjects of tree identification, alien invasive species identification and management, and large tree surveying. The content of the courses includes the morphology and identification characteristics of trees, and the learning material is assimilated through a sound theoretical foundation enhanced by practical application. These courses are popular with the public, Dendrologists, Foresters, Horticulturalists and Nature Conservators.
Who Should Attend?
Nature lovers wish to improve their tree identification skills
Outdoor and Adventure Guides
Organizations who would like to expand their corporate social responsibility and enhance their staff’s green environment awareness
Staff of local municipalities, farmers, and landowners.
Scholars, students, adults, and communities to help them connect and establish their relationships with the natural world and becoming guardians of our indigenous tree heritage.
Exciting topics you’ll explore
Have you ever heard of jackalberry, corkwood, jellybeans, blue-lips, umdoni or musasa? If you are confused …. leave it to the leaves. The real point of getting to know the trees is simply to develop your skills of observation, to slow yourself down and focus your mind to open to the messages of the natural world. Having a concrete goal, such as learning to identify the trees, keeps your attention on the flora as you make your way through the wonders of nature.
This course is designed for young and old and does not require any prior botany knowledge. The presentations are vibrant, and the theory and practical fieldwork will introduce students to the classification of trees, modular growth in plants, characteristics of different leaf types as well as the different techniques to identify them, plant reproduction and the different uses of trees. It is not to be missed if you are someone that appreciates nature and wants to learn more about our indigenous tree heritage.
Typical Weekend Program
The course runs from a Saturday morning (08:00) to Sunday afternoon 12:00. Topics to be discussed but not limited to include:
- Introduction to dendrology, the difference between trees and shrubs
- Modular growth in plants and the life cycle of trees
- A study of the characteristics, structure, shape, colour and arrangement of the leaves, the petiole, and twigs
- Study the characteristics of the stem, bark, domatiums, thorns, flowers, and fruits
- The use and meaning of botanical terms to describe the characteristics of plants
- Origin and meaning of tree names
- Sufficient practical observations in the veld to describe and to identify the different characteristics of a tree, using a field guide
- Course offered in English and Afrikaans.
Big tree measurement course
Measuring big trees is a valuable skill that involves accurately determining the correct species, height, diameter, crown cover and big tree index value of indigenous trees. The Dendrological Society’s big tree measurement course will teach you how to correctly use all the techniques required to accurately measure big trees. The admission requirements for this course are membership of the Society and the candidate must have successfully completed at least the Grade I Dendrologist examination, offered by the Society.
For more information contact training@dendro.co.za.
Alien invasive plant species identification awareness course
The course aims to provide students with an overview of the relevant legislation, identification of alien invasive plant species how to develop a management plan and simple methods of managing alien invasive plant species.
For more information contact training@dendro.co.za.