Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What size of trees and shrubs may be relevant to this standard?

Trees and shrubs may include plants that can be transported/carried in a wheelbarrow, with an estimated weight of up to 80kg.

What OHS hazards may be associated with the transplanting of small trees?
Hazards may include power lines, water pipes, gas lines, heat and cold, solar radiation, manual handling, working alone, fatigue, insects and animals, dust, noise, uneven surfaces, holes, sharp hand tools and equipment, and incorrectly stored tools and equipment.

What services may need to be located?
Services may include power (electricity), water supply, irrigation, stormwater, drainage, gas and telecommunications.

What tools and equipment may be used to transplant trees and trees?
Tools and equipment may include wheelbarrows, ropes, jacks, tree frames, tie downs, hand tools, secateurs, pruning saw, loppers, spades, shovels, trenching shovel, rakes, stakes or pegs, hoses and fittings.

What PPE may be required to carry out transplanting operations?
PPE may include boots, overalls, gloves, sun hats and sunscreen lotion.

How might the crown be prepared before undertaking earthworks for removal?
Preparing the crown may involve pruning, deleafing and applying anti-transpirants.

What enterprise work procedures may apply to this standard?
Enterprise work procedures may include supervisors instructions and orders, transplanting plans and specifications, installation plans, company standard operating procedures (SOPs) and OHS procedures.

What requirements may apply to the digging of a trench for transplanting operations?
Trenching requirements may include dimensions such as distance from trunk and depth.

What treatments may be applied to the root system to ensure maximum viability?
Root treatment may include trimming, " bare rooting", dipping (fungicides, bacterial and hormone).

What material may be used for binding?
Appropriate material may include hessian sacking and wire frames.

How might the tree or shrub be prepared and handled prior to transportation?
The crown may need to be bound and supported, and the tree handled by root ball (not trunk or crown).

What appropriate drainage may need to be applied to the planting site?
Appropriate drainage may include artificial drainage such as slotted agricultural pipe and mounds.

How might soil be modified to make it suitable for the transplant?
Soil modifications may include addition of nutrition/fertiliser or other organic compounds, conditioning additives to effect a change in the water holding capacity of the soil, soil structure, soil texture, and pH, such as gypsum, sand, lime, dolomite, chemicals and mulches.

What plant support devices may apply to this standard?
Tree support devices may include stakes and guy ropes.

What aftercare activities may be required to maintain plant health and quality?
Aftercare may include weed and disease control, mulching, fertilising, watering, pruning and securing.

What waste material may be relevant to this standard?
Waste material may include unused work material, plant debris and other organic compounds, litter and broken components.
Plant-based material may be mulched or composted, plastic, metal, paper-based materials may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

What records may be relevant to this standard?
Records may include site and plant details, materials used for transplanting, treatments/amendments applied, chemical use, date, problems encountered.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in transplanting small trees requires evidence that a person can prepare a tree for transplanting, undertake earthworks for removal, remove the tree from the original site, install the tree in a new environment and provide aftercare to ensure the ongoing viability of the tree.The skills and knowledge required to transplant small trees must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this may include different species and cultivars of trees and shrubs, soil types, locations and climatic regions.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

trees and shrubs that are most suited to transplanting
factors affecting the timing and method of lifting trees and shrubs
causes of damage or drying-out of trees and shrubs, and prevention methods
transplanting practices associated with different soil types and relationships to plant care
responsible and environmentally sensible practices concerning the nutrition and watering requirements for newly transplanted trees and shrubs
techniques of securing and anchoring transplanted trees and shrubs
the effect of adverse outdoor climatic conditions (e.g., rain, hail, or very high ultraviolet radiation), which may prevent or impede transplanting operations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

interpret work procedures including transplanting/installation plans and site map
communicate with team members and supervisor
participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
use tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner
calculate area, volumes and treatment application rates.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information about specific tasks associated with the job, such as work completion and hazards encountered, may be communicated to work colleagues and the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information such as transplanting techniques, installation plans and work schedules should be discussed with the supervisor and work team members. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Pre-operational checks and organisation of tools, equipment and work schedules should be arranged before transplanting begins. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Transplanting trees and shrubs may involve working with other members of a team to complete the transplanting program. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be applied when measuring water and treatment application rates, assessing the diameter of root balls, and depth and volume of planting holes and trenches. (1)

Solving problems
Problems relating to transplanting techniques, processes, the transplanting area, tools and equipment, workplace safety, other team members, environmental issues and interruption of transplanting program may require problem solving. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the preparation, use and maintenance of horticultural tools and equipment. (1)