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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Undertake assessment of trees on site
  2. Compile preliminary tree assessment data
  3. Document preliminary arboricultural report
  4. Record impact of proposed development on trees
  5. Determine indicative and actual tree protection zones
  6. Demonstrate tree viability to major encroachment
  7. Develop protection measures and advise client
  8. Document the relevant reports

Range Statement


Performance Evidence

The candidate must compile reports, plans and guidelines into an arboricultural impact assessment report and develop an evidentiary tree protection portfolio.

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

identifying and researching relevant legislation and Australian Standards

determining specific requirements of statutory authorities in relation to trees on development site

determining local government planning laws, tree protection and preservation regulations

conducting a site assessment and identify conditions that impact tree protection program

identifying work health and safety hazards that impact safety of staff and public, assess level of risk and apply controls

identifying hazards, activities and circumstances that have potential to harm trees and assess the level of risk

locating and confirming trees plotted on survey plan

plotting trees not on plan onto survey plan

collecting available relevant plans and documentation

identifying and record tree genus and species by botanical and common name

recording tree dimensions, height, crown spread and diameter-at-breast-height (DBH)

determining age class and estimate life expectancy

determining tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology

determining condition of tree structure in relation to tree anatomy

considering heritage and cultural issues

considering habitat, ecology and other matters relevant to the site

considering location relative to existing and past site structures

determining the retention value

compiling all tree assessment data required for report

recording all trees and groups of trees suitable for retention

determining indicative tree protection zone for each tree

plotting tree identifiers and indicative tree protection zone on survey plan

documenting preliminary arboricultural report

interpreting existing plans, working drawings, terms and symbols

interpreting development and design language

considering how development can result in mechanical and chemical damage and determine appropriate controls

determining impact of proposed development on trees

providing preliminary feedback to client on potential areas of improvement

assessing development requirements for site access and logistics

considering indicative tree protection zone

determining extent of encroachment into indicative tree protection zone

determining whether works will impact on structural root zone

determining extent and area of structural root zone

determining actual tree protection zone for trees to be retained

defining and recording the actual tree protection zones

determining level of encroachment

assessing for a major encroachment: location and distribution of roots; potential loss of root mass; species tolerance to root loss; and age, health, size, lean and stability of tree

considering impact of major encroachment on health, physiology and structural integrity of tree

assessing soil characteristics and volume and presence of existing or past structures and design factors

considering how site and design factors minimise impact of proposed encroachment on tree

demonstrating that the tree would remain viable

determining additional remedial measures required

developing an evidentiary portfolio of tree protection devices, techniques, tree-sensitive design and construction measures and tree responses to development activities

specifying protection devices, techniques and systems to minimise impact of development

determining installation and construction methods for tree protection and produce working drawings for on-site personnel for implementation

providing advice on tree removal and tree pruning program to client

preparing draft arboricultural impact assessment report

developing tree protection plan and tree protection plan (drawing)

preparing and documenting tree management and monitoring guidelines with alternative strategies for possible problems

consolidating relevant reports, plans and guidelines into final version of arboricultural impact assessment report in digital and print format and presenting to client.


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

relevant legislation and Australian Standards

specific requirements of statutory authorities in relation to trees on development site

local government tree protection and preservation regulations

site assessment and conditions that impact tree protection programs

plotting trees/ tree identifiers onto survey plans

tree genus and species by botanical and common name

tree dimensions, height, crown spread and diameter-at-breast-height (DBH)

age class and estimate life expectancy

tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology

heritage and cultural issues

habitat, ecology and other matters relevant to the site

methods of calculation of retention value

indicative tree protection zones

preliminary arboricultural reports

interpretation of existing plans, working drawings, terms and symbols

development and design language

principles and methods of mechanical and chemical damage control

impact of proposed development on trees

structural root zone

actual tree protection zones

level of encroachment

assessment of a major encroachment: location and distribution of roots; potential loss of root mass; species tolerance to root loss; and age, health, size, lean and stability of tree

soil assessment of characteristics and volume

viability of a tree

evidentiary portfolio of tree protection devices, techniques, tree-sensitive design and construction measures and tree responses to development activities

principles and techniques of tree protection devices, methods and systems

installation and construction methods for tree protection

principles and methods relating to protecting trees from human activities

working drawings for on-site personnel for implementation

methods of documentation of tree management and monitoring guidelines

draft arboricultural impact assessment report

anatomy, physiology and pathology of trees

interpretation of plans and working drawings

tree protection plan and tree protection plan (drawing)

documentation of tree management and monitoring guidelines

final version of arboricultural impact assessment report

digital and print formats.