FWPCOT2220
Select trees for tending operations


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to select appropriate trees for tending operations which involves selecting trees to be thinned, pruned, treated for pests and other tending treatments used to provide a healthy environment for tree and forest growth. Work is completed in in a forest environment setting and involves identifying tree characteristics and marking them for specific treatments.

The unit applies to Forestry technician, Nursery technician, Supervisor (Forestry operations), Tree planter, Silviculturist, Arboriculture technician

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


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for selection process

1.1 Determine tree distribution, characteristics and selection method from work order and where required check with appropriate personnel

1.2 Identify and follow site environmental protection practices and associated regulatory compliance requirements.

1.3 Determine existing and potential site hazards and assess associated risks in line with organisational procedures.

1.4 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

2. Select and mark trees for tending

2.1 Locate forest area for tree selection in line with work order.

2.2 Designate trees for particular tending treatments according to designated work order method, site procedures and environmental regulations.

2.3 Mark or re-mark trees using appropriate marking method and equipment.

2.4 Make recommendations for further tree selection to appropriate personnel.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

use one or more of the following methods to identify, select and mark trees for tending treatments in line with an individual work order:

selecting a predetermined number of trees in a given area

counting and selecting trees at regular intervals

selecting trees with particular characteristics

selecting trees for particular treatment.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

basic content and application of applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government environmental protection regulations relevant to tree tending operations

use and care of tools and materials used to select trees for tending operations:

tags

tape

paint

tools for blaze marking

typical workplace hazards present during tree selection activities and methods of minimising risks:

slope

water

rock

undergrowth

slash

depressions and holes

falling or fallen branches

key types of tending treatments and their purpose:

thinning

pruning

disease treatment

thinning

cleaning

seed collection

characteristics of trees and distribution relevant to tending treatments:

dominance and vigour

leader defects

straightness

lean

size

angle

number of branches

spacing and overall tree health

stocking

green crowns

insect infestation

common methods used to select trees for tending operations:

selecting predetermined number of trees in a given area

counting and selecting trees at regular intervals

selecting trees with particular characteristics

selecting trees for particular treatment

organisational procedures specific to selecting and marking trees for tending:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on risk control and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available as appropriate:

tags

tape

paint

tools for blaze marking

personal protective equipment suitable for selecting and marking trees

environmental regulations affecting site operations

work order with designated methods for tree selection

organisational procedures for selecting and marking trees for tending.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Numeracy skills to:

count numbers of branches and trees at regular intervals during selection process.

Oral communication skills to:

ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders.

Reading skills to:

interpret:

workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures

work orders

environmental regulations or plain English equivalent documents.

Planning and organising skills to:

complete tree selection and marking activities in an efficient and logical sequence using designated work orders methods to guide activities.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Common Technical