Course content: 44 hours (5,5 CFU)
General on tree cultivation. (3,5 CFU)
Organography of trees and shrubs: morphology, functions and growth of root systems, as well as of vegetative organs and reproductive structures
Woody plants life and annual cycles: stage of youth, stage of maturity and senescence. Budding, growth of sprouts, lignification, leaf drop, rest. Floral initiation and differentiation, flowering, pollination, fertilization, fruit set, fruit growth and ripening, alternate bearing. Trees and shrubs phenology.
Elements of shrubs and tree biology, physiology and genetic: dormancy and temperature requirements, photosynthesis and transpiration, plant growth regulators. Genetic resources, origin of cultivars and rootstocks, elements of tree crops genetic improvement.
Principles and cultivation techniques: plant propagation and nursery management, tree crops environmental suitability, orchard planting, soil management, fertilization, irrigation, pruning and training systems, harvesting, post-harvest handling.

Main tree crop species. (2 CFU)
Pome and stone fruits, citrus, olive, grape, minor fruit and berries. Tree crops for ornamental and environmental uses. Decidous and evergreen trees, conifer, shrubs, broad-leaved, suffrutex and vines

Field and laboratory practice: 20 hours (2.5 CFU)
Main fruit quality characteristics and ripening index. Soil and foliar analysis.
Commercial orchard and experimental field visits for: recognition of the main tree species; pruning and tree-cropping systems, nursery facilities, methods and phases.