Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to verify specifications for pruning against tree conditions and national industry standards.
The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture and apply specialist skills to provide solutions to technical and unpredictable problems. They work autonomously, instruct and monitor the work of others within a team. They use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
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. Locate and verify tree and site characteristics | 1.1 Confirm trees to be pruned and desired outcomes for pruning works according to client brief and arborist specifications 1.2 Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures 1.3 Confirm identified tree species and location according to workplace and botanical standards 1.4 Determine dimensions of tree and record characteristics according to workplace requirements |
2. Inspect tree and determine pruning specifications | 2.1 Inspect and assess condition and growing environment for trees identified in client brief and specifications 2.2 Determine planned pruning operations required for canopy modification or canopy maintenance according to industry standards 2.3 Determine tree care requirements to compensate for planned pruning operations 2.4 Identify and select biosecurity procedures for planned pruning operations |
3. Confirm and validate pruning operations | 3.1 Review client brief and arborist specifications against tree inspections and planned pruning operations 3.2 Confirm pruning operations comply with client brief and arborist specifications 3.3 Verify planned pruning operations for compliance with industry standards |
4. Confirm pruning works with client and work team | 4.1 Document planned pruning operations according to workplace procedures 4.2 Confirm and clarify pruning operations plan with client and arborist 4.3 Prepare specifications and contract for pruning works and submit to client for approval according to workplace procedures and industry standards 4.4 Provide specification of pruning operations to work crew for implementation |
5. Maintain records of pruning works | 5.1 Assess pruning works performed against pruning specifications 5.2 Implement remedial action where anomalies are identified 5.3 Review works with work crew and document improvements for future works 5.4 Record results of completed works and report to client 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 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.
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:
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.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
nine different trees stipulated in the performance evidence
resources, equipment and materials:
computer for accessing information and documenting outcomes
specifications:
client or arborist specifications for pruning as stipulated in the performance evidence
workplace procedures and instructions, related to pruning operations
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to tree pruning operations, including AS4373
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 |
Reading | Interpret complex documents, plans and specifications to extract critical information to compare pruning requirements against work performed |
Writing | Create, edit and proofread contracts, specifications and records, ensuring clarity of meaning, accuracy and consistency of information |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)