Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the installation and consolidation of planted areas as part of a horticultural, agricultural or land management tree and shrub planting program and defines the standard required to: determine plant establishment methods and requirements from plans, clients quotations or instructions; interpret planting plans and specifications for a planting project; inspect quality of supplied plants and take appropriate action; conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment; undertake planting work, review the work and take remedial action where required.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the establishment of planting areas in new projects and in programs of extensive replacement and renovation works across a range of situations and environments including amenity and natural resource areas. It excludes sports turf or recreational turf surfaces, intensive plant production and revegetation areas.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to establish a planted area

1.1. The planting site, planting methods and plant species and cultivars are identified according to the site plan.

1.2. Materials, tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to planted area design requirements.

1.3. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers' specifications.

1.4. Site hazards are identified, risks assessed and risk controls implemented.

1.5. Suitable safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used, maintained and stored.

1.6. A clean and safe work area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.

2. Prepare the planting area

2.1. Layout of services is recognised, depths checked against the site plan, and discrepancies are reported to the supervisor and the relevant authority.

2.2. Earthworks are undertaken according to documented work procedures.

2.3. Additives are selected and applied, as required, according to site conditions.

2.4. The planting site is watered, where required, according to the planting method and enterprise work procedures.

2.5. Positions of plants are marked out on site according to the plant establishment program.

2.6. Debris and pollutants are removed from the site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner.

3. Undertake planting operation

3.1. All plants are inspected for health, vigour and well established root systems prior to being planted.

3.2. Plants with major defects are returned to the supplier or set aside to be returned.

3.3. Plants with minor defects are trimmed or treated to maintain health and vigour.

3.4. Plants are planted with appropriate spacings as detailed in the plant establishment program.

3.5. Planting methods comply with the growing requirements of individual plant species and cultivars.

3.6. Newly installed plants are provided with post-planting care.

3.7. Pruning is undertaken, where necessary, according to the needs of the species and cultivar to ensure plants develop a sound framework for their growth and habit.

4. Review the plant establishment works

4.1. The plant establishment program is reviewed according to enterprise work procedures.

4.2. Plants incorrectly planted, or situations that will prevent plants from reaching their full potential are identified, recorded and reported.

4.3. Remedial action is undertaken to ensure all requirements of the plant establishment program are implemented.

5. Complete establishment works

5.1. Earthworks and surface finishes are completed to plan specifications.

5.2. Waste material is removed from the planting site.

5.3. Work outcomes are recorded and reported to the client or appropriate supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• inspect plant quality
• determine plant health
• interpret site plans and plant establishment specifications
• measure quantities, calculate material requirements, area, volume, ratios and application rates
• record and report work outcomes
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• the objectives of the plant establishment program, including finished plant forms, site appearance, end use and time constraints
• the physiology of required plant species and cultivars, culture and planting procedures including growth rates, main nutrient and water requirements, deficiency symptoms, recommended treatments and associated environmental implications
• the identification of pests and diseases, plant symptoms of infections, treatment threshold levels, recommended treatments, methods of application and environmental implications
• soils and soil amelioration techniques
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislative requirements and codes of practice, OHS procedures, OHS employee and employer responsibilities, and hazard identification, assessment and control.

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:

• determine plant establishment methods and requirements from plans, clients quotations or instructions
• interpret planting plans and specifications for a planting project
• inspect quality of supplied plants and take appropriate action
• conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment
• undertake planting work, review the work and take remedial action where required.

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.

Species and cultivars may include:

• exotic, native, endemic, evergreen, deciduous, conifer and palm trees and shrubs, ground cover plants, bedding displays, and aquatic plants.

Planting methods may include:

• tube planting
• hand or machine assisted planting of seedlings
• planting of divisions, and transplanting.

Planting sites may include

• large-scale or broadacre woodlots
• parks and gardens
• landscaped areas and recreational reserves.

Unit sector 

Parks and gardens

Co-requisite units 

Competency field