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 examined and assessed at least two different trees, including:
identified scope and purpose of assessment from client brief
selected, checked and used personal protective equipment
located tree and documented position
identified and recorded tree species and determined implication on brief
assessed and considered tree health and impact on brief
estimated age of tree, tree parts and defects
determined and recorded tree dimensions, which must include:
tree height
tree spread
diameter-at-breast-height (DBH)
trunk circumference
diameter at base
investigated, assessed and recorded the following indicators of value:
habitat and ecological significance
historical and cultural significance
statutory controls
selected and compared amenity tree for at least 2 different valuation methods
collected unit values and data required by the valuation method selected
calculated and recorded amenity value of at least 2 different trees
compared results of different valuation methods and accounted for differences
considered and communicated value of trees captured for valuation
inspected tree for visual indicators of likely failure of tree or tree parts
assessed relationship of tree to potential targets
assessed likely impact of wind loading on potential for failure
used basic diagnostic tools to confirm presence and extent of hazards
assessed hazards and determined likelihood of failure
selected tree risk assessment methods and determined their limitations
determined target of concern and occupation rate
determined tree components of concern and their likelihood of failure
determined likelihood of impact and consequence of tree failure on target
calculated and documented determinations and level of risk
provided client with benchmarks and context for risk assessment
determined and documented potential risk mitigation controls and estimated residual risk
recommended timeframes for implementation of risk mitigation controls and follow-up inspections
considered risk against value of tree
produced a tree risk assessment report.
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:
areas to address in a client brief and developing the scope of assessment, including:
purpose of assessment
owner/client and address
who requested the assessment
reasons for assessments to be requested
client risk thresholds
data capture procedures
requirements for assessment
tree assessment and measuring equipment
trees and surveying their location on a site, including:
methods for locating trees on devices, drawings, plans or aerial images
techniques to position tree on site from boundaries and structures
tree identification, biology and physiology
assessing tree health, including:
signs and symptoms of disease
methods of detecting decay and structural defects in trees
use of basic diagnostic tools
testing equipment to detect decay, disease and scope of tree problems
factors affecting the likelihood of tree failure
use of diagnostic tools
computations and estimating tree dimensions and their relevance to tree assessment, including:
tree height and spread
trunk circumference
DBH
diameter at ground level
assessing structure and symmetry of the canopy, including:
symmetrical and asymmetrical canopy structure and consequences on tree stability and health
trunk inclination and calculating the lean
impact of wind loading on trees and tree structures
estimating and calculating wind loading
relationship and responsiveness of form of crown to surrounding trees and structures
tree age and health issues and their estimation, including:
uninodal and multinodal tree species as an indicator of age
growth increments, including bud scars, sympodial growth and flush marks
checking age estimations using documented images
valuation methods of amenity trees, including:
a range of tree valuation methods and their application
legal and statutory controls and protection of trees
indicators of habitat use
ecological value and significance
cultural value and significance
historical value and significance
preservation orders and local environmental protection laws
calculating amenity tree value of individual trees
visual tree assessment (VTA) techniques and procedures, including:
visual indications and symptoms of disease and health issues
tests and checking the extent of disease and health issues
assessment of impact of tree disease and health issues on tree safety
the purpose and use of basic diagnostic tools
methods of determining and mitigating levels of risk, including:
a range of tree risk assessment methods and their application
identification and extent of tree hazards
causes of instability, decay, damage and stress in trees
quantification and qualification of tree risk
risk benchmarks from non-arboricultural activities
controls available to mitigate risks
remedial action of tree problems
determining the consequence of risk, including:
why most likely outcomes are used and not worst case
abbreviated injury index/scale
possible targets associated with tree risk, including:
persons, property, interruptions to community activity, interruptions to services
occupation rates
tree assessment reporting procedures, including images.
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
an arboriculture site with the trees stipulated in the performance evidence
resources, equipment and materials:
computer with software for word processing
digital imaging equipment
personal protective equipment
diagnostic tools, including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill
measuring equipment for tree dimensions, locating trees on site
samples of cross-sectioned defects and diseases
field tree inspection equipment, including hand lenses, probes, binoculars, containers for sample collection
specifications:
legislation and regulations relevant to arboriculture
client brief and specifications for tree assessment task
relationships:
client.
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.