Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB501A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assess trees

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB501A - Assess trees
Description This unit covers the process of assessing trees to make recommendations on tree health and condition and defines the standard required to consult with clients and provide a service to assess the health of trees; inspect and assess trees for general condition and diseases; diagnose and determine treatment protocols; record assessment data; assess trees for identification of defects and assess risk of harm; document data and recommendations in an assessment report; and maintain assessment data records.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to the job role of a consulting arborist in the provision of professional services in evaluation of tree pathology and structural tree problems in a wide range of amenity trees and sites in urban and regional settings and to the production of professional documentation to inform and advise a client.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Determine tree survey program requirements
  • Scope of survey is identified in line with client needs and statutory requirements.
  • All current data research relevant to survey requirements is identified, sourced and recorded.
  • Processes for data capture are documented.
  • Methods of recording assessment data are prepared.
  • Equipment for tree assessment is checked and prepared for use.
       
Element: Inspect and assess trees
  • Trees are assessed to determine their identification, location, health, growth habit, structure and stability.
  • Consideration is given to the tree's age, condition, habitats, wind loading, distribution of foliage, wound size and potential impacts of proposed recommendations.
  • Tree locations are identified from a plan according to the size and extent of the project and according to common industry practice.
  • Testing equipment is used, where required, to determine age, decay, disease and scope of tree problems.
  • Individual trees are assessed and, where required, their value calculated and recorded.
  • Observed indications of disease are diagnosed and results recorded.
       
Element: Assess risk of harm
  • Trees are assessed to determine their identification of defects.
  • Trees are assessed to determine their risk potential and suitable controls are recommended to the client or organisation.
  • Hazardous trees are assessed to determine their risk of harm.
  • Risk controls are documented and recommended to the client or organisation.
       
Element: Compile a tree assessment report
  • Diagnosis of any tree problem relevant to the scope of survey is documented.
  • Specific recommendations of remedial action for tree problems are provided and recorded.
  • Identification of hazardous trees, recommendations for appropriate remedial actions and appropriate risk controls are recommended and documented, and applied.
  • Tree assessment report incorporates all relevant data from the survey in line with client needs.
  • Survey and assessment data are stored and maintained as part of professional practice.
  • Client is informed and advised of the content and implications of the report and a copy is presented.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

consult with clients and provide a service to assess the health of trees

inspect and assess trees for general condition and diseases

diagnose and determine treatment protocols

record assessment data

assess trees for identification of defects and assess risk of harm

document data and recommendations in an assessment report

maintain assessment data records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

identify trees

locate trees from a survey plan

assess tree health, identify defects, structural issues

assess individual trees and groups of trees

identify hazards and assess risk potential

assess the risk of harm associated with a tree

diagnose diseases and health issues

use testing equipment

analyse assessment and testing results

determine management/treatment protocols

exhibit professional work practices

capture assessment data

maintain data records

value trees

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

identification of a wide range of trees common within the region

methods of tree assessment, including the visual tree assessment (VTA) method

methods for the detection of decay and structural defects in trees

causes of instability, decay, damage and stress in trees

interpretation of results from assessment and testing

tree physiology and pathology

principles of tree selection

methods of tree protection

methods of determining tree heights

application of current tree valuation formulae

provision of expert witness statements

legal requirements relating to development and existing structures

local tree protection and preservation laws

low risk arboricultural work practices

AS 4373-2007 Pruning of amenity trees

relevant codes of practice.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Trees may include:

all species of trees and woody tree-like vegetation forms.

Assessment may include:

forensic investigation and analysis of data and observation resulting in a judgment.

Assessment reports may include:

visual tree assessments (VTA)

tree audits

development applications

health assessment

management reports

biodiversity assessments

expert witness statements.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Scope of survey is identified in line with client needs and statutory requirements. 
All current data research relevant to survey requirements is identified, sourced and recorded. 
Processes for data capture are documented. 
Methods of recording assessment data are prepared. 
Equipment for tree assessment is checked and prepared for use. 
Trees are assessed to determine their identification, location, health, growth habit, structure and stability. 
Consideration is given to the tree's age, condition, habitats, wind loading, distribution of foliage, wound size and potential impacts of proposed recommendations. 
Tree locations are identified from a plan according to the size and extent of the project and according to common industry practice. 
Testing equipment is used, where required, to determine age, decay, disease and scope of tree problems. 
Individual trees are assessed and, where required, their value calculated and recorded. 
Observed indications of disease are diagnosed and results recorded. 
Trees are assessed to determine their identification of defects. 
Trees are assessed to determine their risk potential and suitable controls are recommended to the client or organisation. 
Hazardous trees are assessed to determine their risk of harm. 
Risk controls are documented and recommended to the client or organisation. 
Diagnosis of any tree problem relevant to the scope of survey is documented. 
Specific recommendations of remedial action for tree problems are provided and recorded. 
Identification of hazardous trees, recommendations for appropriate remedial actions and appropriate risk controls are recommended and documented, and applied. 
Tree assessment report incorporates all relevant data from the survey in line with client needs. 
Survey and assessment data are stored and maintained as part of professional practice. 
Client is informed and advised of the content and implications of the report and a copy is presented. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB501A - Assess trees
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB501A - Assess trees

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: