FWPFGM2205
Prune trees


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to select appropriate trees and prepare and prune them. Work is completed in a variety of work settings, including forest environments, farms, nurseries and workshops.

The unit applies to Forestry worker, Arboriculture worker, Farm forestry worker, Nursery worker

Plantation establishment worker, Plantation forest officer, Silviculturist

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 pruning

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

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

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

2. Select and prune trees

2.1 Identify and select trees for pruning in line with work order.

2.2 Use ladder handling and pruning techniques in line with organisational safety procedures.

2.3 Prune trees; remove branches, epicormics and green shoots to meet quality requirements.

3. Assess pruning quality

3.1 Assess pruned trees visually to ensure pruning quality and pruned stock level is in line with work order.

3.2 Rectify incorrect pruning to ensure quality of grown trees.

3.3 Dispose of pruned material in line with environmental protection practices.

3.4 Record and report pruning process and equipment faults 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:

complete pruning jobs in line with an individual work order for each prescribing different quantities and species of trees to be pruned, utilising the following equipment:

pruners

jacksaw

pouch

steps

epicormic remover

pole saw

ladder

climbing gear

elevated work platform according to site requirements

at the completion of each of the above jobs:

dispose of pruned materials in line with environmental protection practices

compete a basic report on pruning processes and equipment faults


Evidence of Knowledge

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

typical workplace hazards associated with pruning trees and methods of minimising risks:

slope and uneven ground

falling or fallen branches

ladder instability

climbing ladders

loss of balance

damp conditions

reasons for pruning trees and form pruning techniques

best seasonal timing for pruning of tree species relevant to the organisation

what to look for when selecting trees for pruning:

prescribed defects

green crowns

dominance

vigour straightness

lean

size

angle

number of branches

overall tree health

stocking

spacing and quality requirements

purpose, features and safe operation of tree pruning tools and equipment:

pruners

jacksaw

pouch

steps

epicormic remover

pole saw

ladder

climbing gear

elevated work platform according to site requirements

environmental protection practices for disposing of pruned materials:

recycling pruned material where appropriate

sending pruned material to landfill only where it cannot be recycled

redirecting pruned material for energy recovery.

organisational procedures specific to pruning trees:

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

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting pruning processes and equipment faults.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

pruners

jacksaw

pouch

steps

epicormic remover

pole saw

ladder

climbing gear

elevated work platform according to site requirements

a commercial quantity trees to be pruned

personal protective equipment suitable for pruning trees

environmental regulations affecting site operations or plain English equivalent documents

work order with instructions for types and quantities of trees to be pruned

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proformas documents for recording pruning process and equipment faults

organisational procedures for pruning trees.

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:

identify quantity of trees to be pruned from work order and count numbers

complete routine calculations involving tree spacing, size, lean and angle and count quantity of branches.

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.

Writing skills to:

complete basic accurate reports on pruning process and equipment faults.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Forest Growing and Management