This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and analyse aspects of tree biomechanics that affect the physical loads and strengths of trees, branches and anchorage in the ground; understand the assessment of tree strength and the loads that occur; and assess factors that can weaken the tree and are likely to increase the chance of failure.

This unit applies to individuals with broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in one or more disciplines or areas of practice and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, well developed judgement and responsibility in undertaking complex self-directed work and learning to provide specialist advice and functions.

The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas such as with substantial depth in areas such as tree statics, dynamics, wind loading and structural failure.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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:

determining existing physical loads affecting trees

identifying areas of high stress on trees and the factors that affect these areas of high stress

assessing root plate environment including depth and consistency of soil, spatial limitations and history of site excavations

assessing prior tree pruning operations to branches and roots

determining extent of decay and damage of trunk and root system

assessing strength and material properties of structural wood, particularly in areas of high stress

determining wind environment of tree

determining surface area of structure exposed to wind

determining crown surface area exposed to wind

assessing aerodynamic drag factor of tree crown in relation to trunk diameter and extent of hollowness

estimating primary loads occurring in seasonal climatic events

determining wind-load of prevailing storms

determining load associated with saturated foliage

considering additional drag associated with saturated foliage

determining appropriate static load on trees for structural integrity testing as an estimate of a wind equivalent load

calibrating static load testing instruments so loads are accurately applied and maintained within limits of structural safety during a static test

carrying out a static test that loads the tree, measures the trunk strength and assesses root plate anchorage in the ground

monitoring loads and forces electronically

monitoring tree to ensure loads are kept within safe limits and damage is avoided to tree

maintaining accurate records of all data from static test.

comparing data with benchmarks obtained from stable tree populations

documenting a report on structural integrity testing of tree from the static load test.

researching tree biomechanics studies using dynamic methods of analysis

understanding simple models of tree dynamics

reviewing complex models and finite element analyses that provide multimodal approaches representing dynamics of branches on trees

calculating the existing mass of branches

determining degree of open-grown form of tree by calculation the of branch mass

calculating the vector of force on the tree

determining the tree dynamic response in defined wind velocity and direction

researching the level of contribution of material properties in tree dynamics

researching the dynamic effect of branches on frequency and damping

determining the level of contribution of form and morphology in tree dynamics

reviewing suitability of invasive and non-invasive methods of testing

evaluating and determining likelihood of structural failure

confirming level of anchoring potential of root system and stability of tree

documenting a structural integrity report and provide to client.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

physical loads affecting trees

areas of high stress on trees

root plate environment including depth and consistency of soil, spatial limitations and history of site excavations

prior tree pruning operations to branches and roots

extent of decay and damage of trunk and root system

assessment of strength and material properties of structural wood

wind environment of tree

surface area of structure exposed to wind

crown surface area exposed to wind

aerodynamic drag factor of tree crown in relation to trunk diameter and extent of hollowness

estimation of primary loads occurring in seasonal climatic events

wind-load of prevailing storms

load associated with saturated foliage

additional drag associated with saturated foliage

static load

static load test

appropriateness of a static load on trees for structural integrity testing as an estimate of a wind equivalent load

calibrating static load testing instruments

limits of structural safety during a static test

measurement of trunk strength

assessment of root plate anchorage in the ground

monitoring loads and forces electronically

monitoring of tree to ensure loads are kept within safe limits

avoidance of damage to tree

maintenance of accurate records of all data from static test

benchmarks obtained from stable tree populations

reporting on structural integrity testing of tree

researching tree biomechanics studies using dynamic methods of analysis

simple models of tree dynamics

complex models and finite element analyses

multimodal approaches representing dynamics of branches on trees

calculations of existing mass of branches

open-grown form of tree

vector of force on trees

tree dynamic response

wind velocity and direction

material properties in tree dynamics

dynamic effect of branches on frequency and damping

form and morphology in tree dynamics

of invasive and non-invasive methods of testing

likelihood of structural failure

level of anchoring potential of root system

stability of tree

structural integrity reporting.

It is an industry requirement that competency in this unit requires the assessment of:

five (5) static load tests, and

five (5) dynamic load analyses.

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

wind environment statistics

static load equipment

models of tree dynamics

materials:

structural integrity report

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

tree biomechanics vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current tree biomechanics skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Arboriculture (ARB)