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Arboriculture Urban Forestry

If you enjoy working outside and are passionate about planting, pruning and protecting trees in urban areas, then the arboriculture/urban forestry program is right for you.

In this program, you will learn theory and skills in the science of arboriculture. You’ll gain hands-on experience identifying, designing, planting, pruning and maintaining trees. You’ll also learn how to diagnose pests and problems as well as how to protect the trees and treat for problems.

Whether you want to work for a commercial company, a city or county park, start your own business, or continue studying urban forestry at a four-year university, this program will lay the groundwork for your future.

Arboricultural climbing is also offered as a non-credit class during winter quarter. For more information on this class please visit our non-credit community and career page.

We also have a program for students interested in working in traditional forestry. For more on forestry, visit our natural resources management page.

In addition, we have a program for students interested in working with the whole landscape. For more information, please visit our landscape management page.

 

  1. Apply planting and maintenance practices to lawns, trees and shrubs during the course of a year.
  2. Apply concepts of landscape design, construction, and installation of residential and small commercial projects.
  3. Understand and apply the concepts of residential irrigation.
  4. Diagnose causes of plant problems (i.e. insect, disease, and abiotic problems) and suggest appropriate remedies.
  5. Understand and apply the principles of weed science to landscape weed management.
  6. Understand and apply the principles of business management and human relations to agribusiness management.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

The Arboriculture program provides a study of ornamental trees; from selection and installation to irrigation, fertilization, pruning and care. Students learn how to identify, assess, diagnose and treat tree problems, as well as learn how to use the advanced arboriculture equipment and techniques. At the successful completion of the second year, passing all required coursework, the student will receive the associate in applied sciences degree.

The following is a typical student schedule. Individual student schedules may differ slightly depending on course availability. Courses may only be offered in the quarter indicated.  Outlined curriculum assumes students begin the program fall quarter and continue winter and spring quarters, with summer quarter off.  It is recommended that students work closely with the program advisor when planning classes.
 

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 91


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGGEN156
Equipment Operation and Maintenance  
2
AGHRT102
Pesticides and Fertilizer Application Equipment   2
2
AGHRT104
Principles of Pest Management   2
5
AGHRT110
Fall Landscape Plant Materials   2
5
AGHRT126
Computer Essentials for Environmental Sciences   3
2
AGHRT184
AgHort Occupational Preparation   1
1
Total Credits
 
17

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGGEN151
Shop Skills  
4
AGHRT116
Green Industry Business Management   2
5
ENVS 110
Plant Biology  
5
Total Credits
 
14

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT112
Spring Landscape Plant Materials   2
5
AGHRT185
AgHort Occupational Preparation   1
1
AGHRT201
Landscape Installation   2
4
ENVS 210
Environmental Soil Science   2
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT115
Pruning  
2
AGHRT204
Landscape Design 1   2
4
AGHRT230
Plant Problem Diagnosis   2
5
AGHRT232
Pest Management Project   2
2
AGHRT234
Bidding and Estimating  
3
Total Credits
 
16

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT202
Principles of Irrigation   2
4
AGHRT219
Soil Management and Fertility   2
5
AGHRT228
Arboriculture   2
5
Total Credits
 
14

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT235
Advanced Arboriculture   2
5
AGHRT236
Arboriculture Tools and Equipment  
2
ENVS 220
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resources  
5
NATRS230
Global Positioning Systems  
3
Total Credits
 
15

1 AGHRT 184 and 185 are related education requirements.
2 Related education requirement.
3 May be substituted with CIS 105 or CIS 110. Related education requirement.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,303
$ 11,486
$ 21,211
Books
$ 150
$ 150
$ 150
Course Fees
$ 507
$ 507
$ 507
Institutional Fees
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
Total Costs
$ 13,171
$ 15,354
$ 25,079

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

  • Cindy Deffe
    Cindy Deffe
    Agribusiness Management
    B.S., Washington State University; M.Ed.; Eastern Washington University; additional study: University of Washington, Eastern Washington University
    Cindy.Deffe@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7260
  • Teya Kuhle
    Teya Kuhle
    Horticulture
    B.A., Western Washington University; M.S., Washington State University
    Teya.Kuhle@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7261
    Art/Craft/Food Fair

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