The ACS Course "ARBORICULTURE I” is based upon the following curriculum documentation. It was originally written to cover everything you see here; but has over the years been revised and expanded beyond this on several occasions.
Click here to see an outline and enrolment details for this course.
ARBORICULTURE I
Module code
HT024
ASF Level
5
Discipline Group Code
1101310
Nominal duration
100 hours
Module Purpose
Successful completion of this module will develop the learner's skills to diagnose and treat common tree disorders, including physical damage; and to maintain trees through both routine and non-routine pruning.
Pre-requisites
Students doing the Advanced Diploma in Applied Science (Amenity Horticulture Stream) must complete the core study units before commencing this unit.
See section 4.1 for the arrangement of the course stages.
This unit may also be taken individually in it's own right. There are no pre-requisites in this case.
Relationship to Competency Standards
All tasks shall comply with relevant practices and procedures set out by industrial awards and relevant Australian standards.
This module relates to the RTCA Arboriculture Industry Competency Standards:
Units ARB114, ARB115, ARB116, ARB121.
Content:
Focus should be on the learning outcomes and not on the content.
The following topics should be addressed:
* introduction to arboriculture
* tree physiology
* soils in relation to trees
* diagnosing tree problems
* treating damage
* pruning
* equipment
Assessment strategy
(refer to Document 1, section 5.1)
Assessment method
The learning outcome may be assessed through:
* essay;
* short answer;
* written assignment;
* plant collection;
* practical tasks;
* examination of 1.5 hrs.
Conditions of assessment
Assessment is based on successfully completing all set tasks, assignments and any other assessment methods listed above. An examination will consolidate lessons to assess the learning progress of students. It will also act as a method of ensuring students meet the outcomes.
Learning Outcome 1
Learning Outcome
Determine appropriate varieties of trees for different situations.
Assessment Criteria
1.1 Prepare a plant collection of fifty different trees, not collected elsewhere in modules of the Advanced Diploma in Applied Science, including:
*pressed samples (e.g. leaves, flowers),
*names (scientific and common)
*a description of the tree (e.g. height, width, form, bark)
*cultural requirements
*uses
*problems.
1.2 Determine twenty five different, specific purposes, for which trees are being cultivated, in the learner's locality; including both for cropping and amenity purposes.
1.3 Develop a standard tree report form, customised for surveying the condition and use of trees in the learner's locality.
1.4 Evaluate the significance (ie. environmental, economic and other) of trees in ten different situations, including:
*Street trees *Gardens *Parks *Forestry *Fruit production.
1.5 Determine the requirements for a tree survey program, in a specific horticultural workplace (e.g. a park or tree plantation), investigated by the learner.
Conditions and method of assessment
The learner will require access to:
* samples from growing trees to prepare a plant collection;
* horticultural workplaces responsible for the management of trees, to observe trees, and discuss management practices with employees.
This will enable the completion of some of the assessment criteria.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Same as Conditions of assessment.
Learning Outcome 2
Learning Outcome
Explain tree biology, including morphology, anatomy and physiology, as it relates to arboriculture.
Assessment Criteria
2.1 Define relevant arboricultural terminology, including:
*Abscission *Apical dominance *Branch bark ridge *Branch collar Bud *Butt *Callus
*Cambium *Compartmentalisation *Crotch *Crown *Epicormic *Fastigate *Guying
*Heartwood *Lateral *Main leader *Main limb *Meristem *Node *Phloem *Sapwood
*Scaffold limbs *Secondary limbs *Sucker *Tracheid *Trunk collar *Vigour *Xylem
2.2 Explain compartmentalisation, including it's function and significance.
2.3 Explain the process of photosynthesis, including the chemical reactions involved. 2.4 Differentiate between the functions of phloem and xylem.
2.5 Explain the physiological processes which cause a tree to increase in size.
Conditions and method of assessment
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Same as Conditions of assessment.
Learning Outcome 3
Learning Outcome
Develop procedures to manage soils for improved tree growth.
Assessment Criteria
3.1 Explain how soil structure can affect tree growth.
3.2 Describe five soil related problems, observed by the learner to have a significant impact upon tree health.
3.3 Perform simple tests, including:
*pH *Conductivity *Drainage *Physical structure, on three soils.
3.4 Analyse the reactions of trees to different soil problems, including:
*Water logging *Raising soil level around the butt
*Change in pH *Excess nutrients.
3.5 Explain how to treat three specified soil related problems that can occur with trees.
3.6 Develop a twelve month soil management program for a tree identified by the learner as suffering a soil related problem.
Conditions and method of assessment
The learner will require access to the following to perform soil tests:
* different types of soils;
* pH meter or chemical test kit;
* conductivity meter;
* water to mix with soil for a simple touch test.
The results of these tests will be submitted together with samples of soils tested.
The learner will conduct a series of experiments on trees either in the ground or growing in containers; by applying different treatments, and recording the trees response in a log. Treatments include:
-Heavily watering; keeping the roots saturated for a month;
-Mounding or filling earth around the trunk (ie. burying part of the trunk);
-Changing pH of soil by applying an additive such as sulphur or lime;
-Adding excessive amounts of fertiliser.
The plants will be inspected weekly over two months, to determine and record any reaction to the adverse conditions imposed on the plants.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Assessment may be based on:
* log book extracts;
* samples from plants;
* soil samples;
* labelled illustrations;
* written assignments;
* an examination.
Learning Outcome 4
Learning Outcome
Develop procedures for managing health disorders of trees, including environmental, pest and disease problems.
Assessment Criteria
4.1 Determine thirty different problems that may occur with trees, in the learner's locality.
4.2 Describe briefly, thirty different problems that may occur with trees (refer 4.1).
4.3 Conduct inspections of twenty different trees, using a standard tree inspection form, to detect any health problems in those trees.
4.4 Explain the effects of gas damage on two different tree species.
4.5 Determine appropriate treatments for improving tree health and vigour, for twenty different trees inspected by the learner.
4.6 Undertake appropriate treatments for overcoming problems on four different trees.
4.7 Assess the results of the treatments undertaken in 4.6, one month after the treatment has been carried out.
4.8 Develop a twelve month program for managing a health problem detected by the learner in an established tree.
Conditions and method of assessment
The learner may require:
* access to a range of different trees suffering different problems;
* binoculars to observe the tops of trees;
* magnifying glass to make inspections.
The learner will where appropriate, collect, and submit samples from plants inspected.
A plant survey form developed in the course will be used to conduct inspections.
The learner will require access to different facilities, to detect and undertake treatments of detected tree problems, as a basis for assignments to satisfy assessment criteria. Any work undertaken will be recorded both in a log and with photographs, which will be submitted.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Assessment may be based on:
* samples from plants;
* photographs;
* log book extracts;
* labelled illustrations;
* written assignments;
* examination.
Learning Outcome 5
Learning Outcome
Determine surgery techniques commonly used in arboriculture to repair damage to plants.
Assessment Criteria
5.1 Determine the causes of ten different tree wounds inspected by the learner.
5.2 Explain a likely physiological response of a tree to five different types of wounds.
5.3 Compare different wound treatments applied to different trees studied by the learner, including:
*grafting *cleaning a wound *painting.
5.4 Demonstrate a specified bark wound treatment.
5.5 Demonstrate bridge grafting across a bark wound.
5.6 Demonstrate the cavity filling treatment of a specified tree wound.
5.7 Develop guidelines for the treatment of tree wounds caused by garden maintenance staff in a specified workplace.
Condition and method of assessment
The learner will demonstrate several different wound treatments either:
* In the presence of a tutor;
* On video;
* As a sequence of photos, with a 300 word summary for each treatment.
The learner will require access to trees and appropriate equipment, to demonstrate wound treatments.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Same as Conditions of assessment.
Learning Outcome 6
Learning Outcome
Explain tree surgery techniques commonly used in arboriculture to prune growth.
Assessment Criteria
6.1 Distinguish between different methods of pruning, including:
*Canopy reduction *Cleaning out *Thinning *Crown lifting *Crown renewal *Topiary
*Espaliering.
6.2 Develop guidelines of safety procedures to follow when pruning large trees.
6.3 Explain the use of ropes when pruning a specific large tree.
6.4 Explain the appropriate pruning of three different specified trees.
6.5 Develop a tree pruning program over a three year period for a specified group of trees, such as a park, garden, orchard or section of street trees.
Condition and method of assessment
The learner will be required to study different trees, photograph them, and mark the photos to indicate how they would be pruned. The learner will require access to a camera, and film.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Assessment may be based on:
* samples from plants;
* photographs;
* log book extracts;
* labelled illustrations;
* written assignments;
* examination.
Learning Outcome 7
Learning Outcome
Determine appropriate equipment for an arboricultural business.
Assessment Criteria
7.1 Distinguish between a tree surgeon, a tree lopper and an arboriculturist.
7.2 Compare three different chainsaws, to determine appropriate applications for each.
7.3 Compare three different travel towers, to determine appropriate applications for each.
7.4 Compare three different types of ladders, to determine appropriate applications for each.
7.5 Compare three different chipping machines, to determine appropriate applications for each.
7.6 Develop guidelines for selecting different items of climbing equipment, for purchase, including:
*harnesses *ropes *attachments.
7.7 Determine the minimum equipment required to commence business as a tree surgeon.
Condition and method of assessment
The learner will be required to contact both companies supplying equipment, and professionals who are using different types of equipment, making observations and collecting information in order to carry out assignments to satisfy various assessment criteria. The learner may document details of equipment by collecting catalogues, specification details, or taking photographs.
Relevant standards or extracts will be made available to students for reference during lessons.
Assessment may be based on:
* samples from plants;
* photographs;
* catalogues/brochures;
* labelled illustrations;
* written assignments;
* examination.
Delivery Of The Module
Delivery Strategy
(refer to Document 1, section 6.1)
Resource Requirements
(refer to Document 1, section 6.2)
Specific requirements for this module supplied to the student:
* all manuals to complete this module and to meet competencies;
* notes appropriate to the topic of study.
Specific resources for this module the learner will provide:
* writing materials;
* basic materials to undertake set tasks including small quantities of potting media, pots and fertiliser;
* access to industry;
* a camera and film;
* plant material to perform set tasks.
Occupational Health & Safety Requirements
(refer to Document 1, section 11)
Learners must be aware of relevant Workplace Health and Safety issues in all situations and are required to demonstrate safe working practices at all times.
The work area must comply with current Workplace Health and Safety legislation.
