Hort 341 - Woody Plant Cultivars: Shade Trees
Course Syllabus (Spring, 2007)
| Instructor | Dr. Jeff Iles 106 Horticulture Hall 294-3718; |
|---|---|
| Class Meeting Times | HORT 341 will meet from 8:00 to 8:50 a.m. each Thursday of spring semester in Room 138 Horticulture Hall. |
| Text | Course notes and supplementary handouts will be distributed at the beginning of each class session. |
Course Description
The intent of HORT 341 is to introduce students to a large number of commercially and ornamentally important cultivars of common shade tree species. Identification traits and cultural requirements, as well as unique historical features of selected cultivars are among the major categories of information students are expected to master. Several independent projects will help students understand cultivar use and the importance of cultivars.
Student Evaluation
Performance on the following exercises (300 total points) will determine your course grade.
- The Nomenclature Exercise – Students will identify (in nursery catalogs, web pages, trade magazine articles, etc.) five examples of incorrect nomenclature usage with respect to shade tree cultivars. Evidence of the offending reference plus an explanation of why the reference is incorrect is required for each instance. 50 points – due April 13
- Cultivar Use Problem – Students will choose a residential or commercial landscape site and recommend five different shade tree cultivars for that site. For each cultivar recommended, students must justify its use (tolerant of the environmental and space constraints on the site), and of course, use correct nomenclature when referring to each cultivar. 100 points – due April 20
- Quizzes – Ten, covering the most recent material. 100 points – unannounced
- Final Exam – Comprehensive exam. 50 points
Students are to work independently on all of these assignments.
Final grades will be assigned on a scale no more challenging than the following:
| Total Points | Grade | Total Points | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 280 or more | A | 220-229 | C |
| 270-279 | A- | 210-219 | C- |
| 260-269 | B+ | 200-209 | D+ |
| 250-259 | B | 190-199 | D |
| 240-249 | B- | 180-189 | D- |
| 230-239 | C+ | 179 or less | F |
Tentative Hort 341 Lecture Topics and Schedule for Spring Semester, 2006
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| January 11 | Introduction to HORT 341, syllabus, importance and origins of shade tree cultivars, and nomenclature issues |
| January 18 | Cultivars in the genus Acer |
| January 25 | Cultivars in the genus Acer |
| February 1 | Cultivars in the genus Acer |
| February 8 | Cultivars in the genus Acer |
| February 15 | Cultivars in the genus Fraxinus |
| February 22 | Cultivars in the genera Quercus, Gleditsia, and Gymnocladus |
| March 1 | Cultivars in the genus Tilia |
| March 8 | Cultivars in the genus Tilia |
| March 22 | Cultivars in the genera Aesculus and Betula |
| March 29 | Cultivars in the genera Ginkgo, Liquidambar, and Phellodendron |
| April 5 | Cultivars in the genera Platanus and Celtis |
| April 12 | Cultivars in the genera Ulmus and Zelkova |
| April 19 | Cultivars in the genera Ulmus and Zelkova |
| April 26 | Significant "ornamental" tree cultivars |
| Week of April 30 | Final Exam |
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with Dr. Iles at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources (DR) office (515/294-6624). DR is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.
