HRT-151 Woody Plant Materials
This course integrates classroom and hands-on learning towards the identification and utilization of trees and shrubs - native and non-indigenous – in commercial and residential ornamental landscapes as well as the horticulture industry at large. This course emphasizes plant anatomy, taxonomic identification, culture requirements, landscape value, proper placement and maintenance, and seasonal interest within gardens and the broader landscape. Students will develop recognition skills of commonly used trees and shrubs in Northeast gardens and planted landscapes according to their scientific classification and, hence, will develop tree and shrub selection skills – assembling best-fit plants for garden/landscape application based on aesthetics, ecology, and sustainability. Classroom learning will be reinforced by practical experiences on the grounds of FLCC, including arboretum, and visits to local cemeteries and botanic gardens.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Define and give examples for relevant terms as they relate to woody plants, trees and shrubs.
- Identify woody plants using classification criteria (e.g. seasonal characteristics, cultural needs, and landscape uses).
- Apply an identification scheme (e.g. health, leaf arrangement, twig and bark characteristics, growth habit, and flower type and morphology) to differentiate trees and shrubs with similar characteristics.
- Recommend woody material based on a variety of aesthetic needs and observed cultural conditions.