Arboriculture (Major Code: 59515)
Student Learning Outcomes
Cuyamaca College – Ornamental Horticulture
Associate Degree or Certificate
in Arboriculture
This major encompasses urban forestry, professional tree care and tree trimming. Students will learn care and pruning of landscape trees, palms and related plants as well as common fruit trees. Coursework includes skill development in tree climbing and pruning techniques, basic tree maintenance and principles of urban forestry. Graduates are employed by private tree care companies, public agencies or may be self-employed.
Students who complete this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate and practice standardized safety procedures as they apply to arboriculture. (OH 120, 130, 260, 261, 262, 263, 276.)
- Describe the principles
of tree biology and physiology for growth management.
(OH120, 260, 261, 262, 263) - Demonstrate proper tree pruning and tree removal procedures per industry standards. (OH120, 170, 260, 261, 262, 263)
- Draft a tree planting plan including cultural requirements for establishment. (OH 102, 120, 140, 172, 235, 261, 262, 263)
- Conduct a site evaluation for drafting a cultural tree management plan. (OH 130, 262, 263, 275)
- Identify common biotic and abiotic problems for trees common to Southern California landscapes and list appropriate control measures. (OH 102, 120,130, 140, 263, 275.)
- Conduct a visual tree assessment for tree risk or value appraisal. (OH 120, 130, 140, 170, 262, 263, 275)
- Draft a tree preservation plan for a construction site. (OH 120, 1320, 140, 170, 262, 263, 275)
- Design a tree support system with stakes, cables and bracing. (OH 120, 170, 261)
- Demonstrate best management practices (BMPs) and American National Standards Institute – (ANSI) practices for cultural management of tree growth. (OH 120, 130, 140, 170, 260, 262, 262, 263)
Course Requirements ~ Associate in Science Degree and Certificate of Achievement:
| Course | Title | Units |
| OH 120 | Fundamentals of Ornamental Horticulture | 3 |
| OH 130 | Plant Pest Control | 3 |
| OH 140 | Soils | 3 |
| OH 170 | Plant Materials: Trees and Shrubs | 3 |
| OH 260 | Arboriculture | 3 |
| OH 261 | Tree Surgery and Specialized Pruning Techniques | 1 |
| OH 262 | Arboriculture - Palms and Related Plants | 1 |
| OH 263 | Urban Forestry | 1 |
| OH 275 | Diagnosing Horticultural Problems | 1.5 |
| OH 290 | Cooperative Work Experience Education | 3 |
Select 11 additional units from the following:
| OH 102 | Xeriscape - Water Conservation in the Landscape | 2 |
| OH 172 | Introduction to Landscape Design | 3 |
| OH 235 | Principles of Landscape Irrigation | 4 |
| OH 276 | Horticultural Equipment Repair and Maintenance | 3 |
| OH 278 | Business Management for Ornamental Horticulture | 3 |
| SPAN 120 | Spanish I | 5 |
Total Units Required for Certificate: 33.5
Plus General Education Requirements for Associate in Science Degree
*Student must complete 6 units within the major at Cuyamaca College to be eligible for this course.
