Study all Elements of Forestry

Learn to grow, harvest and process timber on a farm, woodlot or for a native forest.

Study all elements of forestry and learn the key principles and practical management of trees in agroforestry and urban forestry.

Improve your potential commercial output from tree production with this course focusing on suitable timber types, growing conditions, safe and efficient workplace practices and more. Discover the most suitable species for your environment, report on your local area, and discuss possibilities with experts in the field.

• Acquire an understanding of timber types and how to harvest timber and process it.
• Learn how plantations or woodlands are managed.
• the importance of conservation and restoration forestry.
• A major element of the study includes agroforestry - forestry for farms and the agriculture sector and also urban forestry - so important in health and environmental initiatives.

Start your forestry career here. This course is packed full of practical considerations and key learning points. 

What is Forestry?
Broadly defined as the science and practice of managing trees for use in agriculture, environmental and climate change mitigation, for human health and animal shelter, for tourism and manufacturing, forestry is a key industry for the broader economy. Working in forestry provides opportunities for professional growth and career advances if you seek that.

Factors related to timber production include:

• Tree health and physiology.
• Planting and pruning.
• Soil knowledge and management.
• Tree rotation and forest design.
• Working with tools and equipment.
• Processing for raw timber or construction timber.
• Preservations, treatments and legalities.
• Market demands for high end specialist products for furniture or ornamental products.

This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success. 

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

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
2. Timber Types
   • Introduction to Timber and Forest Products
   • Different Types of Wood and Their Uses
   • Composites
3. Harvesting
   • Tree Felling and Stump Removal
   • Protecting Trees
   • National Tree Registers
   • Keeping the Work Site Safe
   • Duty of Care
   • Costing Jobs
4. Milling and Processing
   • Introduction to Processing Timber
   • Turning Trees into Timber
   • Reviewing Saws
   • Effecting of Shrinkage
   • Wood Preservation in Cut Timber
5. Plantation and Forestry Management
   • Introduction
   • Key terms
   • Silviculture
   • Shelterbelts
   • Pruning and Thinning
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
7. Agroforestry
   • Introduction to agroforestry
   • Benefits of Agroforestry including carbon sinks and credits
   • Agroforestry in Farming
   • Future Developments
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
9. 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.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Understand the nature and scope of forestry including the importance of trees, evaluation of trees and the equipment used in the industry.
• Explain types of timber and forest products.
• Explain the harvesting of timber.
• Explain milling and processing, including small and large scale milling, timber drying, timber preservation and chipping.
• Explain the management of plantations and forests.
• Explain the value and application of conservation and restoration forestry, as an alternative or supplementary form of forestry.
• Explain the value and application of agroforestry, as an alternative or supplementary form of forestry.
• Explain the value and application of urban forestry, as an alternative or supplementary form of forestry.
• PBL Project Aim: Implement necessary planning for commercial timber production at imaginary Lenkat Forest taking account of site and environmental considerations.

What You Will Do

• Visit forests where possible - these could be native forests, on farms or state own plantations.
• Review tools used in forestry operations.
• Conduct research into current employment opportunities.
• Research specific tree species of interest or those found in your region.
• Investigate wooden products found in your home or workspace.
• Assess and plan tree for removal of a particular tree.
• Collect images of sawing patterns as a resource file.
• Connect with timber preservation processors to expand knowledge on timber treatments and processes.
• Develop a pruning guide.
• Investigate international forestry conservation projects.
• Contact the forestry commission or department of environment and agriculture to explore the current preferences, trends and specifications relating to forest design.
• Watch online videos explaining agroforestry principles and practices to support your learning.
• Visit rural locations to identify agroforestry in the region near you.
• Deepen your understanding of trees for agricultural purposes by examining farms and trees.
• Become familiar with local government projects or initiatives in urban forestry.
• Report on observations of urban forestry in your region.
• Interview two people or what they know or understand about urban forestry and the impacts of forestry on them.
• Write a schedule for commercial timber production (a tutor supported project at the end of the course).

Understanding Wood

Wood is composed of cellulose fibres which are bound together with lignin. The fibres are stronger than the lignin which is why it is easier to split wood with the grain, meaning along the line of the grain. We'll look at grain in more detail shortly. Having said this, not all wood is the same. Therefore, when you create something from wood, it can be very important to choose the right wood for the job; and to do that you need to understand and get to know the characteristics that differentiate one type of wood from another.

The physical characteristics of timbers we are interested in are:

• Strength

• Weight (density) - this will provide a useful indication of a wood's strength (heavier woods tend to be stronger). 

Strength does not tell us much by itself and so is usually broken down further as follows:

• Hardness - this is how resistant the wood is to surface scratches and marking (hardwoods are generally more resistant).

• Compressive strength - this is how much weight can be applied to wood along the grain before it collapses.

• Bending strength - this how much weight can be applied to wood at right angles to it before it snaps.

• Stiffness - this refers to how much wood will be displaced when weight is applied above (or gravity).   

These characteristics vary from tree species to tree species. If you are going to select a particular timber to construct bookshelves with for example, you might be interested in the stiffness because you don't want your shelves to quickly start to sag. 

Timber also varies in terms of quality characteristics. Quality includes such factors as:

• Resistance to degradation - dry rot, termites, wet rot, etc. Some timbers last for hundreds of years, some need to stay dry, some can withstand wet or damp conditions better than others.

• Resistance to fire - ability to withstand flames.

• Defects - these may diminish the usefulness of a timber. 

•Aesthetics/appearance - some timbers have a more attractive grain and colour. 

Why Study this Course?

• All the elements of forestry are covered in this course - improving your knowledge and ability to work in this industry.
• You will have acquired an understanding of timber types and how to harvest timber and process it - extending your business or employment opportunities.
• You will have learned how plantations or woodlands are managed, and the importance of conservation and restoration forestry.
• A major element of this study includes agroforestry - forestry for farms and the agriculture sector and urban forestry which is linked to vegetation management in urban areas and is often key in health and environmental initiatives.

Start your forestry career here. This course is packed full of practical considerations and is central in forestry education.

Why Study with ACS?

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