About Treesystems

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for ground-based tree workers in the arboriculture industry.

Individuals with this qualification perform a range of ground-based arboriculture activities under supervision including, pruning of trees, felling of small trees, operation of chainsaws, and the operation of equipment required for processing and removal of tree material. The work may involve high risk operations in support of arborists. Work practices are undertaken within a strict safety regime to protect workers and the public.

This qualification is suitable as a pre-apprenticeship or school-based program for introduction to the arboriculture industry.

Job titles relevant to this qualification include the general titles “consulting arborist” and “tree manager”.

Graduates with this qualification assess trees and produce reports and documentation attesting to the health and risks related to trees. They diagnose tree disorders and defects, document and communicate recommendations for tree establishment, canopy management, tree remediation, environmental and habitat development and tree removals, within a legislative and regulatory framework.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a hand-held chainsaw and maintain it in working condition. This unit applies to cross-cutting fallen timber using safe cutting techniques. The unit applies to individuals who apply low risk work procedures and comply with worksite health and safety requirements when operating hand-held chainsaws to carry out routine work.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate a hand-fed or machine-fed mobile chipping or mulching unit to chip or mulch timber refuse such as branches and other timber waste.

The unit applies to individuals who operate mobile chippers/mulchers as part of arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government, emergency services and other government agency operations.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for tree felling, fell small trees and complete felling operations where hazards have been assessed as low risk.

The unit applies to individuals who apply low risk work procedures and comply with worksite health and safety requirements when felling trees under general supervision, with limited autonomy or accountability.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to trim and cut felled trees with a chainsaw, and complete operator maintenance.

For the purpose of this unit of competency, a felled tree is any tree or part thereof, including, but not limited to, a tree trunk, branch or limb that has fallen or has been felled and is laying on the ground in a bushland, plantation, forested or other setting, including parkland, roadways and urban areas.

The unit applies to individuals who trim and cut felled trees as part of arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government, emergency services and other government agency operations. With the exception of minor forest produce, this unit does not apply to commercial harvesting operations.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to use a fuel or battery powered pole saw to trim tree branches within safe height and angle limits.

The unit applies to individuals who operate pole saws to trim tree branches as part of arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government, emergency services and other government agency operations.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual felling of trees with advanced characteristics using a chainsaw. This unit covers the felling procedures for advanced trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and advanced practical felling skills.

Individuals who seek to undertake this unit should have prior experience in operating a chainsaw for the purpose of felling trees in order to ensure their safety while completing this work.

Individuals competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell trees of any size, species and condition, including those with significant defects and characteristics that cause excessive felling complexity, that are deemed safe to fell.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual felling of intermediate trees using a chainsaw. This unit covers the felling procedures for trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and practical felling skills.

Individuals competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell most trees, except advanced trees and/or those with significant defects and/or characteristics that cause excessive complexity.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess and fell basic trees manually using a chainsaw, and to complete routine operator chainsaw maintenance.