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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Locate and verify tree and site characteristics
   • Confirm trees to be pruned and desired outcomes for pruning works according to client brief and arborist specifications
   • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures
   • Confirm identified tree species and location according to workplace and botanical standards
   • Determine dimensions of tree and record characteristics according to workplace requirements
2. Inspect tree and determine pruning specifications
   • Inspect and assess condition and growing environment for trees identified in client brief and specifications
   • Determine planned pruning operations required for canopy modification or canopy maintenance according to industry standards
   • Determine tree care requirements to compensate for planned pruning operations
   • Identify and select biosecurity procedures for planned pruning operations
3. Confirm and validate pruning operations
   • Review client brief and arborist specifications against tree inspections and planned pruning operations
   • Confirm pruning operations comply with client brief and arborist specifications
   • Verify planned pruning operations for compliance with industry standards
4. Confirm pruning works with client and work team
   • Document planned pruning operations according to workplace procedures
   • Confirm and clarify pruning operations plan with client and arborist
   • Prepare specifications and contract for pruning works and submit to client for approval according to workplace procedures and industry standards
   • Provide specification of pruning operations to work crew for implementation
5. Maintain records of pruning works
   • Assess pruning works performed against pruning specifications
   • Implement remedial action where anomalies are identified
   • Review works with work crew and document improvements for future works
   • Record results of completed works and report to client 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 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.

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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:

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.

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