Browse all Courses
Browse all courses / Trees
Learn with Andy McIndoe

Trees

Andy McIndoe teaches you how to choose the right tree for your garden. Including trees for small gardens, planting and maintenance.

Course overview

Why plant trees? The role of trees in the landscape and the visual impact of trees in different seasons. The environmental impact of trees and their role in attracting wildlife into your garden. Trees for screening, trees for shelter and trees for shade. Why we are afraid of trees in gardens. What are the risks and the relationship between a tree and a building.

Meet Andy McIndoe

Andy McIndoe is our Chief Blogger, and teaches five courses on the site. Andy has over thirty years experience as a practical horticulturist and consultant. He has designed and advised on gardens of all sizes and was responsible for the Hillier Gold Medal winning exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower for 25 years. A regular contributor to magazines, newspapers and BBC Radio, Andy lectures widely at home and abroad. Special interests include hardy shrubs, trees, herbaceous perennials, flower bulbs, wildlife and garden design; he has authored books on all of these subjects. A keen gardener, Andy and his wife Ros have a two-acre garden in Hampshire, U.K., that is open to groups by appointment. Started from scratch fifteen years ago, the garden is naturalistic in style, with an extensive wildflower meadow and informal planting. The emphasis is on foliage to provide colour and texture.

Course description

Andy McIndoe teaches you how to garden with trees and why you should plant trees with a guide to choosing, planting and using trees in your garden (including information on trees for smaller gardens).

He'll show you how to choose the right tree, plant trees and maintaining trees throughout the seasons. You'll look at ornamental trees, evergreen trees, fruit trees and flowering trees.

You'll learn why you should plant trees and what a tree can do for you as part of your garden. You'll also learn about the effect trees have on the space, proportions and atmosphere of your garden. And how to use trees for shade, privacy and screening.

Gardeners are often afraid of trees: their size and power over the garden environment, and their potential effect on the house and other nearby buildings. This course will give you the confidence to make good tree choices for all types of gardens and planting situations.

You'll learn:
  • how to choose the right tree for your garden
  • how to choose trees for any location including trees for small gardens
  • trees for colour
  • trees that work in different seasons
  • how to plant with trees
  • how to plan a planting scheme with trees
    • The course includes:
  • 4 on-demand video lessons - presented by Andy McIndoe
  • lifetime access to the videos, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical garden tree projects (with tutor feedback available)
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom - chat online to students from around the world and share your creative ideas
    • Time to complete garden trees course:

    Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 9 hours 20 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lessons: 1 hours 20 minutes in total
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Your tree and garden projects: at least 1 hour per lesson
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson
    • You'll need:

    You won't need any special equipment but you will be responding to assignments where you identify suitable trees for different gardens and situations

    Ready to get started?

    Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Andy on your garden tree assignments.

    If you know someone who'd love this course then give it as a gift - just tick "This is a gift" at the checkout.

    Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.

    This course is suitable for gardeners and garden designers with any level of experience.