Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify trees and their environmental and social benefits.

This unit applies to individuals who undertake defined activities with appropriate methods, tools and information, work in a structured context, apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate limited autonomy and judgement, and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. Work is implemented with low risk work procedures and to comply with Safe Work Method Statement documentation.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Arboriculture (ARB)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

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

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit - no equivalent.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

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:

• inspecting the form, structures and local environment of tree
• examining and describe tree morphology in botanical terms
• describing leaf morphology for shape, colour and size
• examining and record features of buds, petiole, branchlets, branches and bark
• examining and record flower characteristics
• examining and record fruit type and characteristics
• using all relevant available senses to assist in tree identification
• recording useful and key identifying attributes of tree parts
• inspecting tree canopy and structures for general health and condition
• using observations to recognise signs and symptoms of diseases, pests or deficiencies that assisting in identification of tree
• recording relevant data and identify tree where possible at this stage
• comparing tree samples to images to recognise genus and species where possible
• selecting and using research, reference materials and field guides to define closer identification
• using taxonomic keys to analyse specific characteristics of tree to identify species and cultivar where possible
• examining tree for existing habitat use and food source supply
• identifying environmental benefits provided by tree in current location
• rating performance of tree in its current condition in terms of environmental and social benefits
• identifying and describing value of benefits to the client and community
• recording identification achieved
• highlighting key identifying features observed in the process
• informing the client or organisation of the results of the identification process.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

• form, structures and local environment of tree
• tree morphology in botanical terms
• leaf morphology for shape, colour and size
• features of buds, petiole, branchlets, branches and bark
• flower characteristics
• fruit type and characteristics
• use of sensory methods in tree identification
• useful and key identifying attributes of tree parts
• tree canopy and structures
• general health and condition of trees
• signs and symptoms of diseases, pests or deficiencies of trees that assist in tree identification
• methods of tree identification
• recording of data
• using tree samples for identification
• comparison of tree samples to images of trees
• recognition of genus and species where possible
• using research, reference materials and field guides
• taxonomy
• using taxonomic keys to identify species and cultivar where possible
• tree examination for existing habitat use and food sources
• environmental benefits provided by trees
• performance rating of tree condition
• identification of value of tree benefits to the client and community
• methods of description of value of tree benefits to the client and community
• methods of recording tree identification
• key identifying features for identification
• methods of informing client and organisation of tree identification.

Assessment Conditions

It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment requires methods of assessment that focus on the process of identification, incorporating the use of multiple reference sources and pathways to identify trees.

Assessment must provide for a minimum of sixty-five (65) identifications of different trees local to the region.

Assessment must provide for a minimum of ten (10) identifications using a taxonomic key or field guide.

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:

• use of multiple reference sources
• taxonomic keys
• field guides
• camera/phone camera
• trees and tree specimens

• materials:

• tree profile and benefits form

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

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72