List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has verified pruning specifications on at least nine trees for three different classes of pruning, with no more than one pruning class per tree, including:
confirmed and identified tree species to be pruned and its size and characteristics
assessed and documented site safety and implemented controls
assessed the tree to be pruned for condition and growing environment and determined planned pruning operations and compensatory tree care
reviewed and confirmed planned pruning operations complied with client brief, arborist specifications and industry standards
documented planned pruning operations and confirmed with client and arborist
prepared pruning specification and contract for approvals and provided specifications to work team
assessed completed pruning works against specifications and implemented remedial action for non-compliance
reviewed pruning operations and documented future improvements
maintained records.
An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:
work health, safety, site and environment, including:
preparing job safety analysis and safe work method statements for site-specific risks
personal protective equipment used when climbing
safety and procedures when working near overhead power lines
specifications and Australian Standard AS4373 for crown maintenance, including:
dead wooding
crown thinning
selective pruning
formative pruning
specifications and Australian Standard AS4373 for crown modification, including:
reduction pruning
crown lifting
pollarding
remedial or restorative pruning
utilities line clearing
current national recognised industry standards relating to tree pruning operations
tree species identification standards, including:
botanical nomenclature
common names
characteristics of trees and pruning operations, including:
approximating height and canopy size and spread
trunk dimensions as diameter-at-breast-height (DBH)
estimating total crown foliage
the location and distribution of branches
estimating extent of pruning as a percentage of canopy
specification of key reference points within a tree
tree’s health, growth habit, structure, stability and growing environment
post-pruning tree care, including:
impacts arising from pruning of live tissue
compensatory tree care activities
minimising transmission of diseases with pruning equipment and materials, including:
biosecurity requirements
basic principles of hygiene when maintaining tools and equipment
pruning procedures and methods, including:
maximum and average diameter of live branches
minimum clearance distances
branch pattern
direction of branch growth by selecting north, south, east or west
approximation of branch collar diameter
location of pruning point
crown maintenance and modifications and pruning cut options, including:
stem co-dominance
stem bark ridge
old cuts
dead branches
occluded and occluding branches
basics of contracts and their purpose in arboriculture work, including:
client communication strategies
verbal contracts
documented contracts
legal requirements
importance of gaining regulatory approvals
specifying and documenting pruning work requirements
record keeping and reporting procedures when verifying pruning specifications.
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
nine different trees stipulated in the performance evidence
resources, equipment and materials:
computer for accessing information and documenting outcomes
specifications:
client or arborist specifications for pruning as stipulated in the performance evidence
workplace procedures and instructions, related to pruning operations
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to tree pruning operations, including AS4373
relationships:
client and work team.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:
arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.