I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Dendrology
2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 1120
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
4. Course Description:
The course focus is on the characteristic features of trees and shrubs and the purpose of these features. Students will be able to readily identify 60 to 70 species of trees and shrubs by Latin (family, genus and species) and Common names found within the U.S. They will learn to use various keys to identify trees and shrubs with. Key features for study will include: leaves, twigs, buds, flowers, fruit, stem and bark. Most of our studies will be of trees in Minnesota, and the Eastern U.S. However, we will discuss Southern and Western species as well.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
NATR 1120 - Dendrology
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
NATR 1120 - Dendrology
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
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Name of Institution
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Course Number and Title
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Credits
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University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point
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Forestry 232 and NRES 405
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3
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U of M at Crookston
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Bio 2022
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3
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2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:
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Name of Institution
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Date of Acceptance
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Discipline/Area/Program of Transfer
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U of M at Crookston
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2010
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Natural Resources
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University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point
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2007-2009
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Natural Resources and Forestry
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III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):
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Name of Program(s)
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Program Type
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Natural Resources
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AAS
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IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate written communication skills |
Students will be able to develop a short 3-5 page paper on a favorite tree species including the citing of sources and developing a bibliography. |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Students will be able to analyze characteristics and follow a sequence of operations in relationship to using the fruit and twig key to identify specimens from the field. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
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Expected Outcome
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MnTC
Goal Area
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Students will be able to construct the basic plant Classification System
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Students will be able analyze trees by their leaves, twigs and buds
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Students will be able integrate both Latin and common names to identify trees and shrubs
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Students will be able to Identify 60 to a 70 Species of trees and shrubs – Mainly Minnesota and the Northeastern species
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Students will be able to compare tree and pant terminology
Students will be able to rewrite the tree growing process and how it works
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Students will be able compare and contrast the growing conditions of the trees and shrubs we discuss in class
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Students will be able to differentiate 10 or more insect and disease problems
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Students will be able to compare and contrast the different pruning process and how they are used
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V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
I. Define Dendrology and Silvics
A. What is dendrology?
B. Understanding the difference between Silvics and Silviculture
II. Describe tree/plant classification system
A. The Taxons of the Classification System for Plants
B. Latin and Common Names
III. Describe Geological Timeline in Relationship to Plants
A. Discuss the early evolution of plants
IV. Discuss and describe the Ecological Classification System
A. How it is used in today’s forest and wildlife management in Minnesota.
V. Describe the morphological aspects of leaves and showing examples
A. Shapes
B. Margins
C. Bases and Apices
VI. Describe Leaf Arrangements
A. Alternate, Opposite and Subopposite
B. Whorled
VII. Describe various Venation
VIII. Other Tree Anatomy and Other Terminology
A. Basic Tree Components – Roots, Stem and Crown
B. Functions of Each Component
C. The Layers of wood
D. The Three Major Processes Involved in Tree Growth and Development
IX. Describe the Morphology of a Twig
A. Buds
B. Leaf Scars
C. Stipule Scars
D. Lenticels
E. Pith
X. Bark Types and Its complexity
XI. Monoecious and Dioecious
XII. Comparison of Different Flower Types
XIII. Comparisons of the various types of fruit
XIV. Describe Associate Species
XV. Describe Forest Types
XVI. Describe Ecology in Relation to Forestry
XVII. Understanding Hardiness Zones
XVIII. Basics of Pruning and Why
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
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I. Aspen – Willow in the field
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II Aspen – Willow in the field
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III. Maples and Oaks in the field
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IV. Elm, Hackberry and Birch in the field
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V. Walnuts, Hickory and More in the field
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VI- VIII. The Pines in the field
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IX. Bog Lab - Spruces, Tamarack and Fir in the field
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X. Twig Key – Field and Lab
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XI. Twig Key - Field and Lab
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XII. Twig Key - Field and Lab
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XIII – XV. Exams – In the lab
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XVI. Fruit and Seed Key - In the lab
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XVII. Fruit and Seed Key - In the lab
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