Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to inspect, identify, select and specify a range of trees for suitability for an intended purpose.
The unit has a wide range of applications in urban and regional areas for local government and legal contexts in the specification of trees in residential, commercial, public open spaces and amenity areas. The unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work, to analyse and synthesise information, and design and communicate solutions for complex problems. The role involves the self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in areas such as tree identification, tree selection criteria and tree functionality.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, and the relevant content of applicable current versions of Australian Standards such as AS 2303, AS 2223 and AS 3743.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine the suitability of trees | 1.1 Consult client, develop a brief and gain agreement 1.2 Undertake site inspection according to the client brief 1.3 Determine legislative requirements, regulatory requirements and requirements of Australian Standards 1.4 Determine functional life expectancy of site and plantings 1.5 Determine tree function for the precise location within the plan 1.6 Confirm that species and cultivar selection is appropriate for the aspect and site dimensions 1.7 Research trees suitable for the intended purpose using multiple reference sources |
2. Identify and select trees | 2.1 Identify trees suitable for the intended purpose using multiple reference sources and use of taxonomic keys 2.2 Give consideration to tree morphology, physiology and ethnobotany in the identification of suitable trees 2.3 Estimate planting area dimensions for the tree species or cultivar 2.4 Confirm that soil volume is proportioned to the size of tree in consideration and assess soil for suitability as a growth medium 2.5 Consider environmental conditions including site hydrology for the functional characteristics of the tree and apply findings 2.6 Evaluate soils, soil mixes and growing media for density, organic content, nutrient status, and physical and chemical properties 2.7 Appraise a wide range of soils, soil mixes and growing media 2.8 Make recommendations for soil, soil mix and growth medium improvements by determining soil suitability for intended purpose 2.9 Evaluate trees from an extensive range of trees common in the region 2.10 Select trees in accordance with suitability for the intended purpose as quality criterion 2.11 Evaluate and document the rationale for tree selection 2.12 Recommend tree species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings 2.13 Document tree selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications |
3. Specify trees | 3.1 Incorporate determined criteria for size of stock selection into the specifications 3.2 Match species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species-specific characteristics 3.3 Evaluate selection criteria for mature trees against capability for transplanted trees 3.4 Assess final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm the tree specification 3.5 Inspect selected plants on site for structural quality, root health and quantities according to the specifications 3.6 Inspect delivered materials, soils and growing media on site for quality assurance in accordance with the specifications 3.7 Record quality checks on delivered plants and products |
4. Correlate and present a report | 4.1 Compile tree selections into a database of tree specimens and characteristics based on tree taxonomy and nomenclature, and suitability characteristics 4.2 Produce a report of the identification, selection and specification process and incorporate the correlated records 4.3 Present the client or organisation with the report |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must produce a report of the tree identification, selection and specification process that recommends tree species for a site and incorporates the tree selections into a database of tree specimens and characteristics. 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:
consulting client, developing a brief and gaining agreement
undertaking site inspection according to the client brief
determine legislative requirements, regulatory requirements and requirements of Australian Standards including AS 2303, AS 2223 and AS 3743
determining functional life expectancy of site and plantings
determining tree function for the precise location within the plan
confirming that species and cultivar selection is appropriate for the aspect and site dimensions
researching trees suitable for the intended purpose using multiple reference sources
identifying trees suitable for the intended purpose using multiple reference sources and use of taxonomic keys
giving consideration to tree morphology, physiology and ethnobotany in the identification of suitable trees
estimating planting area dimensions for the tree species or cultivar
confirming that soil volume is proportioned to the size of tree in consideration and assess soil for suitability as a growth medium
considering environmental conditions including site hydrology for the functional characteristics of the tree and apply findings
evaluating soils, soil mixes and growing media for density, organic content, nutrient status, and physical and chemical properties
appraising a wide range of soils, soil mixes and growing media
making recommendations for soil, soil mix and growth medium improvements by determining soil suitability for intended purpose
evaluating trees from an extensive range of trees common in the region
selecting trees in accordance with suitability for the intended purpose as quality criterion
evaluating and document the rationale for tree selection
recommending tree species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings
documenting tree selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications
incorporating determined criteria for size of stock selection into the specifications
matching species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species-specific characteristics
evaluating selection criteria for mature trees against capability for transplanted trees
assessing final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm the tree specification
inspecting selected plants on site for structural quality, root health and quantities according to the specifications
inspecting delivered materials, soils and growing media on site for quality assurance in accordance with the specifications
recording quality checks on delivered plants and products
compiling tree selections into a database of tree specimens and characteristics based on tree taxonomy and nomenclature, and suitability characteristics
producing a report of the identification, selection and specification process and incorporate the correlated records
presenting the client or organisation with the report.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
client consultation and client brief
legislative requirements and regulatory requirements
site inspections
functional life expectancy of tree and site
tree functionality for precise locations
selection of tree species and cultivars
appropriateness of species and cultivar selection for site aspect and dimensions
how to research and use multiple sources of reference material
concept of ‘suitability for a purpose’
trees suitable for an intended purpose
methods of determining the suitability of a tree for a purpose
tree identification using multiple reference sources
tree identification using taxonomic keys
ethnobotany, morphology, physiology, taxonomy and nomenclature
tree species-specific characteristics
environmental conditions for the functional characteristics of the tree
estimation of planting area dimensions
soil volume proportions to the size of tree
site hydrology
evaluation of soils, soil mixes and growing media for characteristics of density, organic content, nutrient status, and physical and chemical properties
appraisal of a wide range of soils, soil mixes and growing media
recommendations for soil, soil mix and growth medium improvements
soil suitability for intended purpose
methods of assessment of soil for suitability as a growth medium
evaluation of trees from an extensive range of trees common in the region
tree selection methodology using quality criteria of suitability for purpose
evaluation and documentation of rationale for tree selection
recommendations of tree species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings
documentation of tree selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications
incorporation of criteria for size of stock selection into specifications
methods of matching species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species-specific characteristics
selection criteria for mature trees against capability for transplanted trees
assessment of final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirmation of the tree specification
inspection methods for structural quality, root health and quantities of plants on site
inspection of delivered materials, soils and growing media on site for quality assurance in accordance with the specifications
methods of quality control and quality assurance
how to monitor quality and apply quality controls
tree structural quality
recording quality checks on delivered plants and products
methods of data capture
database construction
characteristics of taxonomy and nomenclature required for database use
characteristics of tree ‘suitability for a purpose’ required for database use
compilation of tree selections into a database of tree specimens and characteristics based on tree taxonomy and nomenclature, and suitability characteristics
report production of the identification, selection and specification process.
Assessment Conditions
It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment includes construction of a database that must contain a minimum of eighty (80) tree species with general characteristics of suitability for the intended purpose and key identifying features, and an additional twenty (20) intensive tree profiles detailing attributes of the location, taxonomic characteristics, edaphic and environmental preferences and limitations of the tree. The database must include woody monocots and gymnosperms.
Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.
Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.
The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:
equipment:
computer
word processing software
internet connection
digital camera/phone camera
soil testing equipment
loupe
field guides
print and digital taxonomic keys
trees
soils, soil mixes and growing media
materials:
tree profile and benefits form
tree selection and specification form
database of tree selections and suitability characteristics
report of the identification, selection and specification process
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.
Assessment must be conducted only by persons who 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
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)