Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the application of a range of treatments to trees and defines the standard required to: recognise a range of common causes and sources of stress to trees; prepare and properly maintain tools and equipment for treating common causes of stress to trees; apply common treatments to trees in a safe manner.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to a range of treatments conducted on trees to remedy common problems including alleviating tree stress.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to apply tree treatments

1.1. Trees requiring treatments are located and the treatment determined according to work procedures.

1.2. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.3. Tools and equipment appropriate to the task being undertaken are prepared and used according to supervisor's instructions and enterprise guidelines.

1.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to enterprise OHS requirements.

2. Modify trees to alleviate stress

2.1. All dead, fractured, poorly attached, dying and diseased wood is removed at the designated position according to Compartmentalisation of Decay in Trees (CODIT) principles.

2.2. Competing branches are removed to allow adequate space for the natural form of the tree.

2.3. Growth patterns are re-directed to avoid physical and structural damage to the tree.

2.4. Removed plant material is disposed of according to enterprise guidelines and with due regard for environmental implications.

3. Modify environment to maintain health and vigour of tree

3.1. Competing plants are removed to ensure adequate space; light, water and nutrient requirements of the tree are maintained.

3.2. Nutrient additives are applied to the soil at rates and designated location according to supervisor's instructions.

3.3. Soil structure is ameliorated according to supervisor's instructions.

4. Apply treatment

4.1. Application equipment is checked for volume calibration, adjusted and operated according to manufacturer's instructions and enterprise guidelines.

4.2. Treatments are applied following manufacturer's instructions, enterprise guidelines and in accordance with OHS requirements and with due regard for environmental implications.

4.3. Tools and equipment are cleaned or sterilised to avoid disease transfer according to Enterprise's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• work using a variety of chemical application tools and pieces of equipment that are suitable for the particular application task while minimising environmental impact
• dispose of plant and equipment debris in an environmentally aware and sensitive manner, such as sorting plant and paper-based waste for recycling
• dispose of chemical substances and their containers in a way designed to minimise environmental impact
• interpret directions
• read labels
• record information
• communicate with fellow team members
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• how trees react to drainage and stresses
• industry code of practice
• environmental considerations associated with the treatment program including use of chemical treatments and the environmentally safe disposal of plant, equipment and chemical debris
• principles and methods relating to identification of pests and disease
• factors affecting the timing and method of applying tree treatments
• different broad chemical types, for example, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides and the environmental implications of using these chemicals
• health, safety and environmental considerations when applying chemical treatments
• timing and placement of fertilisers and the need to minimise fertiliser use to limit environmental impact.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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:

• recognise a range of common causes and sources of stress to trees
• prepare and properly maintain tools and equipment for treating common causes of stress to trees
• apply common treatments to trees in a safe manner.

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.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Treatments may include:

• all chemical, biological, and environmental treatments on trees.

Unit sector 

Arboriculture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field