Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform corrective and remedial pruning operations to trees either from the ground or whilst working at height.
The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture under broad direction 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 pruning operations 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. Prepare for pruning operations | 1.1 Receive and confirm instructions with supervisor 1.2 Confirm access to site and location of trees and work zones 1.3 Determine type, extent and limit of pruning work in accordance with specifications, scope of works and client brief 1.4 Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement site-specific control measures 1.5 Communicate with work team using agreed methods according to works undertaken and site and environmental conditions |
2. Prepare tools, equipment and work environment | 2.1 Select tools and equipment for pruning work 2.2 Consider access and impact of selected pruning tools and equipment on tree 2.3 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on pruning tools and equipment 2.4 Select, check and use personal protective equipment 2.5 Disinfect pruning equipment during tree work according to hygiene and biosecurity procedures and tree assessment outcomes 2.6 Implement workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures according to JSA |
3. Determine tree parts to be removed and plan pruning operations | 3.1 Investigate tree canopy shape, structure and defects to determine pruning plan 3.2 Assess tree structure for stem co-dominance and branch attachment to determine options for pruning cut procedure 3.3 Identify tree part requiring removal and select pruning procedure and location of cut from identified pruning cut options |
4. Perform pruning operations | 4.1 Prepare pruning equipment to ensure cuts are clean 4.2 Use pruning tools to make pruning cuts according to industry standards and manufacturer operating instructions 4.3 Make cuts from a secure body position with awareness of extant tree hazards 4.4 Maintain awareness of power line proximity, safe approach distances and clearances 4.5 Select pruning cuts for crown maintenance or crown modification according to scope of works 4.6 Perform pre-cutting techniques to avoid splitting or tearing of the stem and bark 4.7 Perform final cut according to the principles of compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT) and current industry standards 4.8 Ensure bark at edge of all pruning cuts remains firmly attached |
5. Improve pruning quality | 5.1 Review previous pruning cuts to determine tree response to pruning activities 5.2 Assess tree response to previous pruning methods and compare with current work practice 5.3 Seek advice from consulting arborists on quality of current pruning work practice 5.4 Identify substandard current pruning cuts and rectify according to advice |
6. Complete pruning operations | 6.1 Drop or lower pruned material into designated drop zone 6.2 Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment 6.3 Collect and dispose of pruned material according to environmental procedures 6.4 Maintain pruning records 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 demonstrated pruning operations according to given specifications for at least 4 trees, including:
1 tree with a minimum height of at least 10 metres and a minimum 5 metre spread for which the pruning specifications must include:
removal of hazardous dead wood or branches from the tree canopy
reduction of the extent of the crown
selective pruning to remove branches to resolve specific problems
1 tree of less than 4 metres in height to be formatively pruned
2 mature trees of at least 10 metres in height, for which the predetermined specifications must include at least 3 of the following maintenance or modification activities:
reduced the extent of the crown
lifted the height of the crown
pruned trees for low voltage line clearance on a residential property
performed remedial pruning including removal of dead wood
removed dead fronds and fruit from palm trees
pollarded a tree.
There must also be evidence that the individual has:
communicated with work team during operations using communication method agreed with work team
determined type, extent and limit of pruning work according to the specifications, scope of works, relevant standards and client brief
operated safely while undertaking work, including:
conducted a job safety analysis for the site before work
maintained safe approach distances and clearances to power lines
selected and used personal protective equipment
inspected tree for safe access and work
conducted tree pruning from a secure and safe position
selected, prepared and checked and safely used tools and equipment and cleaned and maintained for all pruning operations
determined crown maintenance and modifications required and identified pruning cut options according to Australian Standards AS 4373 including:
stem co-dominance
stem bark ridge
old cuts
dead branches
occluded and occluding branches
used pre-cuts and undercuts of branches to avoid splitting or tearing and ensured bark remained firmly attached
performed final cuts that complied with principles of compartmentalisation of decay in trees (CODIT), including:
cut to the branch collar without leaving a protruding stub
used branch bark ridge to determine angle of cut where visible collar is absent
ensured lateral branch to which the final cut is made is the correct diameter for the branch being reduced
used stem bark ridge to determine the angle of cut when removing a co-dominant stem
positioned the final cut guided by positions and angles of joins between tissue of declining or dead stems and those of healthy stems elsewhere in tree
ensured bark at edge of cuts remained firmly attached
conducted a review of pruning practices for tree response to pruning and advice from arborist and modified pruning methods to improve pruning quality
dropped or lowered pruned material into designated drop zone and collected and removed pruned material according to workplace and environmental procedures
maintained pruning records according to workplace procedures.
All pruning operations 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:
purpose of pruning trees and the standards expected, including:
canopy maintenance and the principles of dead wooding, crown thinning, selective pruning, formative pruning
canopy modification and the principles of reduction pruning, crown lifting, pollarding, remedial pruning, line clearance
work health and safety procedures for pruning operations
work site procedures for job safety analysis (JSA) for pruning and activities and control measures, including:
recognition of hazards
assessing the risks
identifying controls
documenting a JSA
personal protection
first aid
rescue procedures
visual tree assessment, including health, growth habit, structure, stability and growing environment
pruning equipment; advantages and disadvantages and use, including:
secateurs
chainsaws
pole saws
handsaws
equipment pre-start checks
tree and branch anatomy and attachments related to pruning, including:
lateral branch collars
branch bark ridges
stem bark ridges
occluded and occluding branches
dominant and co-dominant stems
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for pruning operations and Australian Standard AS 4373
gauging the quality of pruning by assessing tree responses to pruning, including:
recognising correct and incorrect pruning cuts
rectifying poor pruning cuts
hygiene and biosecurity procedures to minimise cross-infections from pruning activity
safe communication during tree pruning work, including the impact of noise, environmental conditions, communications resources, and visibility
communications strategies used in the arboriculture industry, including:
voice
hand
whistle signals
electronic communications
safety considerations and procedures when working near overhead power lines, including:
basics of electrocution
power line types and insulation
approach distances and safety zones, voltage and arcing
authorisations to work near power lines
tools, equipment, tree loads, personnel and power line contact
legal liability
workplace records for pruning operations
environmental procedures and site management and clean-up.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
the trees stipulated to be pruned in the performance evidence
resources, equipment and materials:
chainsaws, including a climbing saw
pole saw
pruning handsaws
personal protective equipment
first aid and emergency kit
traffic management kit
signage – work zone
trees and tree parts
specifications:
workplace procedures and instructions related to pruning trees
legislation, regulations, codes of practice, Australian Standard AS 4373 related to pruning trees
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for pruning operations
documentation for planning, obtaining permits
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.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Writing | Accurately complete organisational documents, including job safety analysis, using clear language, correct spelling, grammar and industry terminology |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)