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Forestry Foundations

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Learn the essentials of managing forests for Agroforestry

Trade skills are a cornerstone of the forestry industry. Forestry starts with planting and growing trees (using horticultural skills) and ends with harvesting and processing timber (which is mostly mechanised). Forestry employs people to work with all sorts of light and heavy equipment, requiring both skills to operate and to maintain that equipment.

This course is ideal to help you learn the essentials of managing forests, harvesting and growing trees for timber as well as the processing and milling that will need to take place. It is suitable for those who would like to also learn about conservation and restoration forestry as well as urban, farming and plantation forestry.

Course Code: BAG109

Course Duration: 100 hours of self paced studies

TYPES OF FORESTS

In the past, a lot of forestry was carried out in natural forests. Trees were removed to both obtain timber and at the same time, clear land for farming. We now recognise that approach is often short term gain for long term pain. Some enlightened communities have long used more sustainable forestry practices such as:

Pollarding - cutting wood from a tree perhaps every several years, but leaving the tree alive to regrow. Certain timber species can live for hundreds of years with poles being taken perhaps every 5 to 10 years.
Selective Harvesting - taking some trees, but leaving others, and replanting after harvest. Well managed forests treated this way can provide an ongoing source of wood for hundreds of years without degrading the forest environment. The quantity of timber that is taken however must be very carefully managed,

Apart from natural forests, modern forestry also uses plantation forests, farm forests (agroforestry) and urban forests.

COURSE CONTENTS

There are nine lessons in this course:

Lesson 1 The Scope, Nature and Fundamentals of Forestry

Introduction to Forests
Tree Value
Understanding Wood
Tools in Forestry
Power Tools and General Tool Maintenance
Deciding on Tools in Agroforestry Applications
Extending Chain Life
Duty of Care in The Workplace
Protective Equipment

Lesson 2 Timber Types

Introduction to Timber and Forest Products
Different Types of Wood and Their Uses
Composites

Lesson 3 Harvesting

Tree Felling and Stump Removal
Protecting Trees
National Tree Registers
Keeping the Work Site Safe
Duty of Care
Costing Jobs

Lesson 4 Milling and Processing

Introduction to Processing Timber
Turning Trees into Timber
Reviewing Saws
Effecting of Shrinkage
Wood Preservation in Cut Timber

Lesson 5 Plantation and Forestry Management

Introduction
Key terms
Silviculture
Shelterbelts
Pruning and Thinning

Lesson 6 Conservation & Restoration Forestry

Introduction to conservation and restoration
Forestry for Wildlife Conservation
Forestry for Erosion Control
Forestry for Salinity Control
Design Options including wide-spaced, clump and cluster and woodlots

Lesson 7 Agroforestry

Introduction to agroforestry
Benefits of Agroforestry including carbon sinks and credits
Agroforestry in Farming
Future Developments

Lesson 8 Urban Forestry

Introduction to Urban Forestry
Selecting Tree Species
Where to Plant
Environmental and Health Benefits of Trees in Urban Environments
Production Benefits of Trees in Urban Environments

Lesson 9 PBL: Planning a Commercial Timber Production

Project Based Activity: to write a plan for commercial timber production on a small 5-acre woodlot, taking account of the site specific and environmental considerations.

Modern Forestry is More Environmentally Sensitive

Forests are grown for two reasons; to harvest timber and to provide a desirable environment. With concerns about global warming, forests are more important than ever for their environmental value, but timber is still a highly valued commodity. There is a delicate balance to be struck between growing trees for their environmental benefit and harvesting them for their timber. Modern forest workers need to appreciate this balance to avoid unnecessary damage to the environment in their daily work practices.

Why study this Course?

A foundation - a start for anyone seeking to work in the forestry industry
To broaden an understanding of the industry (for anyone working in forestry)
Farmers, land managers, property owners wanting to diversify perhaps into farm or urban forestry

Thinking of Enrolling? Get in Touch

Our friendly staff understand the importance of making the right choices when it comes to studying. We want to help you choose the right course whether it is for personal interest, upskilling, professional development, a new career, or a career change.

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