Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to apply tree treatments
- Trees requiring treatments are located and the treatment determined according to work procedures.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.
- Tools and equipment appropriate to the task being undertaken are prepared and used according to supervisor's instructions and enterprise guidelines.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to enterprise OHS requirements.
- Modify trees to alleviate stress
- All dead, fractured, poorly attached, dying and diseased wood is removed at the designated position according to Compartmentalisation of Decay in Trees (CODIT) principles.
- Competing branches are removed to allow adequate space for the natural form of the tree.
- Growth patterns are re-directed to avoid physical and structural damage to the tree.
- Removed plant material is disposed of according to enterprise guidelines and with due regard for environmental implications.
- Modify environment to maintain health and vigour of tree
- Competing plants are removed to ensure adequate space; light, water and nutrient requirements of the tree are maintained.
- Nutrient additives are applied to the soil at rates and designated location according to supervisor's instructions.
- Soil structure is ameliorated according to supervisor's instructions.
- Apply treatment
- Application equipment is checked for volume calibration, adjusted and operated according to manufacturer's instructions and enterprise guidelines.
- Treatments are applied following manufacturer's instructions, enterprise guidelines and in accordance with OHS requirements and with due regard for environmental implications.
- Tools and equipment are cleaned or sterilised to avoid disease transfer according to Enterprise's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).