Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify a tree species and assess the health and condition in order to develop, implement and schedule a tree maintenance program and treatments according to safety and environmental procedures.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction in arboriculture and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.
The arboriculture industry requires that all tree maintenance work is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).
Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Undertake site assessment of trees | 1.1 Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement site-specific control measures 1.2 Perform a site assessment and liaise with client to identify conditions that may impact upon the health of trees on site 1.3 Identify genus and species of trees 1.4 Recognise signs of stress according to the characteristics of species 1.5 Recognise causes of stress according to characteristics of species 1.6 Assess abiotic factors affecting health of trees and impact on growth 1.7 Assess biotic factors affecting health of trees and impact on growth 1.8 Record and report results of site assessment according to workplace procedures |
2. Prepare tree maintenance program | 2.1 Identify maintenance requirements for trees according to identified health issues 2.2 Select treatments for identified maintenance requirements 2.3 Identify environmental implications for identified treatments 2.4 Document a maintenance program using requirements, treatments and environmental implications |
3. Undertake treatment program | 3.1 Select tools, equipment and machinery required for treatment 3.2 Conduct pre-operational checks and calibrate equipment and machinery according to manufacturer instructions 3.3 Select, check and use personal protective equipment 3.4 Implement workplace health, safety, environmental and traffic control procedures according to JSA 3.5 Apply treatments according to maintenance plan and environmental procedures and industry best practice 3.6 Maintain growing environment according to species cultural requirements |
4. Complete treatment program activities | 4.1 Dispose of waste according to workplace and environmental procedures 4.2 Clean and sanitise equipment according to biosecurity procedures 4.3 Clean and store personal protective equipment 4.4 Determine schedule for follow-up treatments and communicate to work team 4.5 Maintain records and report work outcomes according to workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has prepared, documented and implemented a tree maintenance program for at least three trees for a period of not less than 3 months in the following situations:
a tree requiring tree treatments and reduction pruning
a tree with structural defects and site targets
a tree requiring health and soil based remediation.
There must also be evidence that the individual has:
identified site-specific health and safety issues including personal protective equipment required
assessed abiotic and biotic conditions affecting health of trees and discussed the conditions and factors with client
documented a tree maintenance program and included in the program the following:
tree maintenance requirements
treatment methods and equipment
environmental implications of treatments
maintained growing environment of tree in accordance with species needs and scheduled follow-up treatments
cleaned and sanitised equipment and disposed of waste
maintained records and reported work outcomes on completion of activities.
All tree maintenance work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for tree maintenance work
purpose and process for completing job safety analysis (JSA)
treatments and treatment methods commonly used on trees, including:
physical treatments
chemical treatments and materials safety data
environmental implications of different types of treatments
solutions to conflicting treatment options
calculations for measuring treatment applications
structure and development of tree maintenance programs, scheduling and planning
site assessment to identify conditions impacting the health of trees on site
recognition and treatment of common tree disorders above and below ground, including:
pests and diseases
nutritional disorders, deficiencies and toxicities
stress-inducing factors for a variety of tree species
signs of stress characteristics
causes of stress in tree species
common structural faults and defects of trees
soil-based problems, including compaction
sampling procedures identifying pests, diseases and soil conditions
abiotic issues that could affect the health of tree species, including:
temperature extremes
frost and sunburn
light intensity and duration
water, natural rainfall, hail, snow, including volume and distribution
wind direction and intensity
lightning
topography and aspect
compaction and drainage
pH, salinity and contamination
biotic issues that could affect the health of tree species, including:
soil ecosystem; beneficial and pathogenic organisms
humans
animals
other plants, including vines and mistletoe
identification and culture of trees, including:
techniques for identifying trees
recognising and maintaining tree cultural requirements
tree structure and function
physiological processes affecting tree growth
compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT)
tree growth and structure resulting from CODIT responses
safety while undertaking tree treatments, including:
hazards associated with chemical treatments
personal protective equipment
traffic control
effect of treatment materials on off-target species
methods for identification and analysing for tree health, including:
methods of testing collected specimens of affected material
methods of analysing nutritional status of trees
health characteristics of tree species
tree establishment and tree maintenance, including:
standards for selection of tree stock for landscape use - AS2303
standards for pruning of amenity trees – AS4373
planting and establishment requirements of tree stock
waste disposal, including:
protection of the environment
biosecurity and hygiene practices
safe operation, maintenance, cleaning and sanitation of tree treatment equipment
record keeping and data management for tree maintenance.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
the trees growing in the conditions stipulated in the performance evidence
resources, equipment and materials:
tree treatment application equipment
measuring and weighing equipment
chemical spill kit
personal protective equipment
first aid and emergency kit
specifications:
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for tree maintenance work
workplace and manufacturer instructions for safe operation, cleaning and storing of treatment equipment
procedures for application of treatments
materials safety data sheets
relationships:
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.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Writing | Use clear language and correct concepts and terminology to ensure clarity of meaning when reporting and recording work outcomes |
Numeracy | Calculate volume, weight and ratio for determining and applying treatments to trees |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)