Syllabus
Spring, 2005

Class Description

This class provides the student with both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to train and prune deciduous fruit plants. The emphasis is placed on practical experience.

Instructor

Dr. Wesley Autio
Office: 205 Bowditch Hall
Telephone: 545-2963
Email: autio@pssci.umass.edu
Office hours: by appointment

Lecture/Lab

Lecture: Friday 9:05 AM - 9:55 AM, 106 French Hall (first class only) and University of Massachusetts Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center (Belchertown) and the UMass campus.
Lecture/Lab: Friday, 10:10 AM - 1:00 PM, University of Massachusetts Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center (Belchertown) and the UMass campus.

Required Reading

Forshey, C.G., D.C. Elfving, and R.L. Stebbins. 1992. Training and Pruning Apple and Pear Trees. American Society for Horticultural Science (cost = ~$50.00, available at the UMass Textboot Annex).

Lord, W. J. and J. F. Anderson. 1994. Pruning in the Home Orchard. UMass Extension Circular C-109 (cost = $3.50, available at UMass Extension Bookstore, Draper Hall).

Several handouts also will be distributed in class and additional books may be used.

Grades

Quizzes (each class, March 25-May 6) = 50% and class participation = 50%.

Class Outline -- 2005

January 29	Introduction to the class.
March 25	Training and pruning non-fruiting apple trees.
April 1	Training & pruning young, fruiting apple trees.
April 8	Training & pruning mature apple trees.
April 15	Pruning neglected apple trees.
April 22	Pruning pear, plum, and cherry trees.
April 29	Pruning Peach trees.
May 6	Pruning crabapple trees.

Quizzes are based on weekly reading assignments.

Class Meetings

Pruning equipment will be provided for your use; however, you are encouraged to purchase your own equipment and bring it to class.

If the weather is foul, dress appropriately. With the limited number of sessions, we will have to go outside, even in bad weather.

Do not be late for class, since we will travel to Belchertown and must leave on time. You are welcome to take your own car to Belchertown.

There is a University van assigned to PLNTSOIL 235 for travel from the University campus to pruning locations. If you wish to travel via van, you must meet in front of Bowditch Hall no later than 9:05 AM on class days. If you miss the van, your absence is not excused. The van will return to the front of Bowditch Hall no later than 1:00 PM.

Grading Philosophy

Quizzes will consist of a collection of essay, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and multiple choice questions.

Make-up quizzes are not routinely given. Only under unusual circumstances, such as serious illness or death in the immediate family, will a student be permitted to take a make-up quiz. Oversleeping, car troubles, head-cold, and too many exams are not legitimate excuses for missing the quiz. In the event of illness or other serious problem, contact the instructor BEFORE a quiz if at all possible. If a make-up quiz is given, it may take any form, such as essay or oral questioning.

Students who cheat on a quiz will either be expelled from the University, receive an F for the course, or a zero for the quiz. This determination will be based on the severity of the situation and will be made by several authorities.

Grades will follow the standard ranges: A=93-100; A-=90-92; B+=88-89; B=83-87; B-=80-82; C+=78-79; C=73-77; C-=70-72; D+=68-69; D=63-67; D-=60-62; F<60.

Since the class is largely a laboratory class, 50% of the grade will be based on participation. You must make every effort to attend all classes.

Updated January 14, 2005.