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701-0266-00L 3 Credits BSC D-USYS
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Introduction to Dendrology

Einführung in die Dendrologie

Lecturers & Examiners: Andreas Rudow, Mohammed Ibrahim
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:02

Abstract

Woody plants are important elements of forest ecosystems and landscapes. The course gives an introduction to dendrology as well as to the identification of native tree and shrub species. It is a highly recomended course for the BSc specialization of Forest and Landscape and it provides the basic requirements for the consecutive course Woody Plants of Central Europe in the spring semester.

Objective

Knowledge of selected native tree and shrub species. Understanding of biological and ecological relations by means of in situ observation of woody plants. Differentiated view on forest ecosystems.

Content

Introduction to dendrology on the basis of concrete examples. Emphasis on identification of tree and shrub species (80 frequent tree and shrub species) and on the understanding of tree structure (morphology of woody plants). The illustrating way of presentation and the relations between different scale levels (organ, individual, stand, ecosystem) provide an attractive insight into forest and landscape topics as well as into environmental biology.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Rudow, A., 2020: Dendrologie 1 - Folien (in German).Rudow, A., 2017: 80 Bäume & Sträucher - Bestimmungshilfe (in German).

Literature

Kremer, B.P., 2010: Bäume & Sträucher. Steinbachs Naturführer. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 380 p. (in German). Lang, K.J., Aas, G., 2017: Knospen und andere Merkmale (Winterbestimmung). Self publisher, 59 p. (collective order during the course is possible). Rudow, A., 2011: eBot Dendrologie (Betaversion). E-learning-Tool for the support of dendrology courses at ETHZ (application integrated in eBot, in German).

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
Die Semesterleistung setzt sich zusammen aus zwei selbständigen Arbeiten sowie dem Besuch der halbtägigen Exkursionen.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Einführung in die Dendrologie
Unterricht rund zur Hälfte in Form von Exkursionen und Übungen im Wald (ETH Hönggerberg). Ausserdem 4 halbtägige Exkursionen an Fr Nachmittagen oder Wochenenden, nach Absprache (in der Umgebung von Zürich und Baden)
  • Wed 14:45-16:30 (HPT C 103)
  • 22.12 Date 13:45-17:30 (HCP E 47.1)
3 h weekly

Offered In

  • Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)