Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:21 PM AWST

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Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges

Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCARB325
State Code
OBV70
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
26/08/2020
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/11/2020
Field of Education
050301 - Horticulture
Original Release Date
13/11/2020
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create and maintain habitat refuges in trees involving the installation of nesting boxes and the use of pruning techniques for habitat hollow and cavity creation in trees. It also involves the retention and positioning of materials from tree works for ground level habitat and refuges.The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.The arboriculture industry requires that all arboriculture work to create and maintain habitat refuges is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).No licensing, legislative or certification requirements are to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare site and inspect equipment
  • 1.1 Interpret and confirm target area work instruction with supervisor
  • 1.2 Select, check and use personal protective equipment
  • 1.3 Conduct pre-operational preparations and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment
  • 1.4 Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA), record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures
2. Retain and stabilise trees and standing vegetation for wood habitat
  • 2.1 Identify vegetation with existing viable hollows
  • 2.2 Plan retention of standing vegetation with viable hollows and defects
  • 2.3 Identify environmental pruning points to accommodate retention or formation of hollows
  • 2.4 Determine length of limb to be retained according to weight, size and natural fracture points
  • 2.5 Identify and retain branch stubs and residual epicormic growth on lower limb sections
  • 2.6 Implement pruning cuts to tension side of wood to weaken branch at desired point for fracture pruning
  • 2.7 Apply physical force to create natural fracture and breakage of branch at desired point
  • 2.8 Undertake coronet cutting using equipment that minimises contaminants on cut surface
  • 2.9 Use materials and equipment to protect the environment from residues according to workplace and environmental procedures
3. Implement vegetation management techniques to create habitat
  • 3.1 Identify and select vegetation suitable for habitat creation work
  • 3.2 Apply natural fracture pruning techniques consistent with natural branch failure
  • 3.3 Implement coronet cuts on branches or stub according to specifications
  • 3.4 Fracture prune from ground or aerially and remove excess branches safely at a natural breakage point, leaving stub to specified length according to job requirements
  • 3.5 Prepare habitat hollows with an angled faceplate to prevent ingress of water
  • 3.6 Remove internal wood from hollows and install faceplate and entrance holes according to job requirements
  • 3.7 Install ground refuges using dimensions and materials specific to fauna habitat requirements
  • 3.8 Install nesting boxes to height and dimensions for target fauna species
  • 3.9 Remove unsafe habitat features for reinstallation into tree canopy
  • 3.10 Select, retain and position tree materials, from tree works, suitable for ground habitat, burrows and refuges
4. Clean worksite and store equipment
  • 4.1 Inspect, clean, maintain and store equipment according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures
  • 4.2 Collect and dispose of waste materials according to industry, workplace and environmental procedures and practices
  • 4.3 Clean and restore site to condition according to workplace procedures and instructions
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