STANDARD COMPETENCIES

 

 1. Demonstrate familiarity with the current editions of the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) standards relevant to

       tree care operations (i.e. ANSI Standards A300 Parts 1-6 and ANSI Z133); related Best Management Practices, and the legal requirements

       of operating a commercial tree care company.

 2. Demonstrate an understanding of procedures and equpment used to move and protect large trees.

 3. Describe or demonstrate the proper methods for fertilizer application to trees.

 4. Demonstrate how to select and maintain arboricultural equipment.

 5. Demonstrate a knowledge of knots used in arboriculture work.

 6. Demonstrate the proper way to remove and lower a large limbs from trees

 7. Explain safety aerial rescue and emergency response procedures.

 8. Explain the structure of a typical municipal forestry department or tree service company.

 9. Interpret urban forest management schedules or site management plans for tree care operations.

 10. Demonstrate the ability to identify hazardous trees and to outline the steps to be taken to mitigate their hazard potential.

 11. Perform CPR and other safety procedures connected with tree care operations.

 12. Demonstrate the ability to select and use appropriate personal safety equipment and the ability to safely and efficiently

       climb and prune mature trees.

 13. Demonstrate an understanding of the procedures used to install support cabling and lightening  protection and how to fell

       a tree properly.  (is this covered in the ANSI standards competency?).

 14. Demonstrate how to evaluate a worksite for obvious and hidden safety hazards

       (i.e.  structural defects in the tree being pruned and electrical hazards).

 15. Demonstrate the operation of a bucket truck, limb chipper, and stump grinder.

 16. Demonstrate appropriate math, writing, and oral communications skills.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Tree care equipment, its care and safe use

      a. Power equipment

      b. Climbing equipment

      c. Hand tools

 II. Safety and first aid in arboriculture

      a. Basic safety and first aid

      b. Arial rescue

      c. Electrical hazards

 III. Urban forest and work management

      a. Tree inventories

      b. Work orders

 IV. Tree care and pruning

      a. ANSI standards and pruning practices and procedures

      b. Hazardous tree identification and mitigation

      c. Tree fertilization

      d. Tree protection