Google Links
Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge
Elements and Performance Criteria
Range Statement
Performance Evidence
The candidate must be observed inspecting and assessing a broad range of trees for identification, health, growth habit, structure, stability and indications of disease. 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 the scope of surveydetermining the client’s risk thresholddocumentation of the data capture proceduresidentifying, sourcing and recording all current data research relevant to survey requirementschecking equipment for assessing trees and prepare for useselecting, checking and using personal protective equipmentplotting tree locations on a device, drawing or plan of the sitedetermining the tree dimensions and structuremeasuring the tree height, spread and diameter-at-breast height (DBH)examining and recording form of treeassessing tree for asymmetry of canopyassessing if tree has a lean and calculate the leanassessing how form of crown relates to or is responsive to surrounding trees and structuresdetermining the potential impact of wind loading of the treeinspecting tree and record fruit type and characteristicsdescribing leaf morphology for shape, colour and sizeexamining and recording buds, branchlets, branches and barkinspecting for and describing trichomes on lamina, petiole and branchletsdescribing and recording floral characteristics of structure of inflorescence, location of the flower, flower colour, details of the flower parts present, absent or modifiedexamining and record the canopy density and distributionassessing recorded leaf colour and size against a healthy specimenassessing for the presence of epicormic shootsassessing for dead tips or excessive numbers of dead branchesexamining roots, root crown, stem, branches and canopy for signs of biotic and abiotic diseaseevaluating and describing symptoms presenting on treedetermining how presence of disease might be affecting treerecognising and recording wounds to the treeconsidering size, location and cause of woundsdetermining if species is uninodal or multimodalrecording the dimensions of the treeexamining tree for evidence of growth increments including bud scars, sympodial growth and flush marksestimating average annual increase in diameter of sample of xylem stained as requiredresearching historic images of tree or trees of same species in similar environmentsproviding a reasoned estimate of age of tree, tree part or woundassessing tree for indicators of habitat useassessing tree for ecological significanceassessing tree for cultural significanceassessing tree for historical significanceevaluating various amenity tree valuation methodsconsidering strengths and weaknesses of each methoddetermining amenity tree valuation method to be usedcollecting and collating appropriate unit values and datacalculating and recording the amenity value of individual treesassessing trees to determine their structure and stabilityconsideration of the tree's age, condition, habitat, wind loading, distribution of foliage, wound size and the potential impacts of proposed recommendationsusing testing equipment to detect decay, disease and scope of tree problemsevaluating visual indications of disease and health issues in treesuse of visual tree assessment (VTA) method to identify hazardsuse of basic diagnostic tools to confirm the presence and extent of hazardsdetermining level of riskgiving consideration to qualification and quantification of tree riskcomparing the risk level against commonly published levels of risk from non-arboricultural activities and itemsdetermining controls required to mitigate risks in accordance with the client’s pre-determined thresholddocumenting risk controls and recommendations for monitoring and review of risksdocumenting diagnoses of tree problems with reference to the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the treerecording specific recommendations for remedial action for tree problemsproducing a tree assessment report that identifies a hazardous tree and contains recommendations for appropriate remedial actions and risk controlspreparing an expert witness statementuse of industry standard terminology to describe arboriculture and the work environment.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
risk thresholdsdata capture proceduressurvey requirementstree assessment equipmentplotting methods on devices, drawings and planstree morphology attributes: fruit type and characteristics, leaf morphology for shape, colour and size, trichomes on lamina, petiole and branchlets, floral characteristics of structure of inflorescence, location of the flower, flower colour, details of the flower parts present, absent or modified, buds, branchlets, branches and barkcanopy density and distributioncomparison of leaf colour and size against a healthy specimenepicormic shootsexamination of roots, root crown, stem, branches and canopy for signs of biotic and abiotic diseasedisease symptomsaffect of disease on treetree dimensions and structuretree height, spread and diameter-at-breast height (DBH)form and morphology of treesymmetry and asymmetry of canopycalculation of tree leanrelationship of form of crown to surrounding trees and structuresresponsiveness of form of crown to surrounding trees and structuresdetermination the potential impact of wind loading of the treetree wound recognition, size, location and causeuninodal and multimodal tree speciesgrowth increments including bud scars, sympodial growth and flush marksestimation average annual increase in tree diameterxylem stainingresearch of historic images of tree or trees of same species in similar environmentsassessment of tree indicators of habitat useassessment of tree ecological significanceassessment of tree cultural significanceassessment of tree historical significanceevaluation of methods of amenity tree valuationcalculation of amenity tree value of individual treestree structure and stabilitytree assessment attributes: tree's identification, age, health, condition, habitat, wind loading, distribution of foliage, wound size and the potential impacts of proposed recommendationstesting equipment to detect decay, disease and scope of tree problemsvisual indications and symptoms of disease and health issuestree diseasesvisual tree assessment (VTA)methods of detecting decay and structural defects in treescauses of instability, decay, damage and stress in treesuse of basic diagnostic toolsidentification and extent of tree hazardsmethods of determination of levels of riskquantification and qualification of tree riskcommonly published levels of risk from non-arboricultural activities and itemscontrols required to mitigate risks in accordance with the client’s pre-determined thresholddiagnoses of tree problemstree anatomy, physiology and pathologyremedial action of tree problemsproduction of a tree assessment report that identifies hazardous trees, recommends appropriate remedial action, and determines appropriate risk controlspreparation of an expert witness statement.