What is a Tree? Learn about the functions & characteristics

An introduction to trees as a springboard to learning more about them in order to manage them more effectively. From becoming familiar with the characteristics and functions of trees, to learning about their strategies, to simply understanding what can be considered a tree, this course gives a broad overview and insights into the world of arboriculture by someone who has been working with them as an arborist in numerous capacities for over 20 years in the UK, Australia and, mostly, India.

Trees are far more than just passive elements in a landscape—they are dynamic organisms shaped by their environment and integral to the ecosystems and cultures around them. This course will introduce how trees grow, interact with their surroundings, and respond to both natural and human influences. You will learn to observe and interpret key aspects of tree structure, health, and behaviour, with an emphasis on practical understanding. Whether you're interested in planting, maintaining, protecting, or simply appreciating trees, this course will provide foundational knowledge grounded in both science and field experience. It’s designed to be relevant to those in India as well as in temperate regions, bridging local context with global principles of arboriculture.

This course is designed to be used as the prerequisite for my other courses.