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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to apply tree treatments
   • Confirm trees to be treated and work activity instructions with supervisor
   • Confirm workplace health and safety hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) with supervisor
   • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
   • Select, prepare and carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools and equipment
   • Confirm availability of first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
   • Select and prepare treatment tools and equipment according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
2. Modify environment to maintain health and vigour of tree
   • Undertake weed control measures to remove competing plants according to treatment instructions
   • Apply soil additives according to soil condition and treatment instructions
   • Apply plant-based mulch according to treatment instructions
   • Use tools and equipment for de-compaction of soil according to supervisor and equipment manufacturer instructions
3. Apply chemical treatment
   • Identify chemical treatments required from supervisor instructions
   • Select, prepare and calibrate application equipment
   • Prepare chemical treatments according to manufacturer label and workplace safety procedures
   • Apply chemical treatment according to workplace procedures
4. Complete treatment operations
   • Clean site, collect and store unused materials and dispose of waste according to workplace and environmental procedures
   • Clean, maintain and store equipment and machinery according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
   • Record and report treatment outcomes according to workplace procedures

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has applied treatments to trees on at least one occasion according to work activity instructions for the following four situations:

control weeds

apply soil additives and ameliorants to the tree root system

apply plant-based mulch

implement soil de-compaction procedures using tools and equipment.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

confirmed target trees and treatments required with supervisor

identified site hazards, assessed risks and confirmed controls with supervisor, including:

selected, checked and used personal protective equipment

confirmed availability of first aid equipment and emergency procedures

selected, prepared, calibrated and conducted pre-operational checks on tools, equipment and machinery according to operational and biosecurity procedures

identified and prepared chemical treatments according to manufacturer label instructions

carried out cleaning and maintenance tasks on site and equipment, including disposal of unused materials and waste safely according to environmental procedures

maintained records and reported according to workplace procedures.

All arboriculture work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

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Knowledge Evidence

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:

practices and procedures for treating trees, including:

using maps for locating trees

tree recognition

site hazard and risk assessment for tree treatments, including:

methods for assessing risk

control strategies for managing risk attributed to treating trees

first aid personnel, equipment, emergency plans

personal protective equipment

common tree disorders and treatments, including:

weed plants and competition for growing conditions

nutrient disorders and the role of fertilisers

soil conditions and effect on tree growth

pests and diseases

basic control strategies for tree disorders, including:

fertiliser application methods

ameliorants and effect on pH, soil compaction and condition

mulch, moisture retention and nutrient tie down

managing the growing environment

chemical treatments

biological treatments

integrated pest control

methods of weed control

tools, equipment and machinery used in the treatment of trees, including:

soil de-compaction equipment

chemical sprayers and applicators

tree injection systems

fertiliser and ameliorant spreaders and applicators

pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

chemicals and chemical applications, including:

interpretation and use of chemical label instructions

material safety data sheets

measurements and calculations for weighing and mixing chemicals

rates of application

dealing with chemical spills

methods of cleaning and sanitising tools and equipment, including:

methods of disease transfer

biosecurity principles and hygiene practices

calibration techniques of application equipment

chemical application techniques, usage restrictions and risk controls

environmental implications of tree treatments

waste disposal, including:

environmental protection

biosecurity and hygiene practices

records and record keeping requirements of tree treatments, including legislative and regulatory requirements.

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