I I A I A 1 I A 2 I A 3 x x 1 I A 3 x x 2 I A 4 I A 5 I A 6 I B I B 1 I B 2 I C I C 1 I C 2 Soil Management Soil Soil formation and horizons Urban soils Soil properties: Discuss how soil characteristics can affect root distribution. Soil properties: Explain the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil testing Soil improvement: Recommend soil remediation treatments. Structural soils: Understand structural soils and when they are appropriate. Water Properties Management Mineral nutrition Plant requirements Fertilizer: Fertilize trees according to applicable standards and best practices. II II A II B II B 1 II B 2 II C II C 1 II C 2 II D 1 II D 1 II D 2 II D 3 II D 4 II E II E 1 II E 2 Tree Identification and Selection Importance of proper tree identification: Identify trees to diagnose problems, recommend care, and perform tree work. Nomenclature Explain how scientific names are written. Discuss some potential problems with using common names of trees. Classification: Describe how trees and other plants are classified. Basic knowledge of the classification system Comprehension of similarities plants within levels of hierarchy Tree Characteristics Morphological characteristics: Recognize identification factors such as leaf arrangement and type, leaf shape and leaf margin, twig and bud characteristics, etc. to determine the identity of tree species. Species characteristics: Utilize knowledge of tree characteristics, including advantages and limitations, to recommend care and management measures. Tropical trees: Identify characteristics of tropical trees. Utilize technology to identify plants. Selection Species selection: Utilize knowledge of tree characteristics, including advantages and limitations, to select species for planting sites. Tree selection
III Installation and Establishment III A x x x 1 Planting: Recognize signs and symptoms of planting mistakes. III A x x x 2 III A 1 III A 2 III A 3 III A 4 III A 5 III A 6 III A 7 III A 8 III B III B 1 III B 2 III B 3 III B 4 III B 5 III B 6 III B 7 Planting: Plant or transplant trees according to applicable standards and best practices. Site Evaluation: Select appropriate sites for tree planting to ensure long-term survival and service. Planting timing Preparing planting area Proper placement of tree Proper handling of planting stock Impact of soil amendments Backfilling and berming Transplanting Post-planting care: Care for newly planted trees to ensure survival, growth, and good structure. Watering Mulching: Select and apply mulch according to best practices. Trunk wrap Support and protection systems: Install support for newly planted trees according to best practices, when appropriate. Pruning Fertilization Need for continued care IV IV A x x x 1 IV A x x x 2 IV B IV B 1 IV B 2 IV B 3 IV B 4 IV B 5 IV B 6 IV C Safe Work Practices Standards, regulations, and laws: Perform tree work according to applicable safety standards and regulations. Standards, regulations, and laws: Explain which standards and regulations are applicable for the work that you do. General safety Hazard recognition: Understand tree risk assessment for the climbing arborist. Job briefing/work plan: Understand how to conduct a job briefing. Site safety (traffic control, work zone, drop zone) Materials (fuel, chemicals) Ergonomics Crew communication: Understand and implement a command and response communication system. Electrical hazards IV C 1 IV C 2 Awareness: Describe the electrical hazards associated with working around electric wires. Protocols: Maintain safe distances when working on trees near electric wires.
IV D Equipment IV D 1 IV D 2 IV D 3 IV D 4 IV D 5 IV E IV E 1 IV E 2 IV F IV F 1 IV F 2 IV F 3 IV F 4 IV G Chain saw safety: Safely operate a chain saw according to all applicable standards and best practices. Chippers, stump grinders: Safely operate a wood chipper according to all applicable standards and best practices. Aerial lifts/mewp Other large equipment/vehicles: Utilize a crane as a tool. Tools, gear: Understand and follow manufacturing specifications for use and inspections on arboricultural equipment. PPE and personal climbing gear PPE (Head, eye, hearing, footwear, chain saw protection): Select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for performing tree work. Climbing gear Climbing/working in trees: Climb trees to perform tree work using safe practices and efficient techniques. Entry and ascent Working in trees Descent Knots: Tie, dress, and set each of the knots most commonly used in tree work. Rigging IV G 1 IV G 2 IV H IV I IV I 1 IV I 2 IV I 3 IV J Methods/techniques: Select safe and efficient techniques for rigging out tree branches. Principles (forces, systems): Discuss the forces involved in rigging operations. Removal (felling, limbing, bucking, etc.): Fell trees using appropriate techniques to ensure accuracy and safety as well as limbing and bucking. Emergency response: Describe the emergency response procedures that must be implemented if needed. Calling authorities First aid and CPR: Implement first aid procedures, if needed. Aerial rescue: Perform an aerial rescue from a tree or aerial lift device, if needed. Training/culture of safety V V A V A 1 V A 2 V B V B 1 V B 2 V B 3 V B 4 Tree Biology Anatomy (structure): Utilize knowledge of tree anatomy to specify tree work Gymnosperms, angiosperms: Identify the anatomical parts of a tree's trunk/stem, leaves, and roots. Palms only: Describe how palms differ in anatomy from trees. Physiology (functions) Photosynthesis: Explain the process of photosynthesis. Respiration Transport: Explain how trees move water up from the roots to the leaves. Storage
V C V C 1 V C 2 V C 3 V C 4 V C 5 V D V D 1 V D 2 V D 3 V D 4 Growth and development: Understand the aging process from juvenile to veteran. Vegetative growth Dormancy Decline and senescence: Describe how trees die and the mortality spiral. Environmental effects and response: Explain how fall color occurs. Sexual reproduction Biomechanics CODIT: Describe the process of compartmentalization of decay. Response growth Mechanical stresses Growth form and responses to loading: Explain how tree branches are attached. VI VI A VI A 1 VI A 2 VI A 3 x x 1 VI A 3 x x 2 VI B VI B 1 VI B 2 VI B 3 VI B 4 VI B 5 VI B 6 VI B 7 VI B 8 VI B 9 VII VII A x x x 1 VII A x x x 2 VII A 1 VII A 2 VII A 3 x x 1 Pruning Principles Effects of pruning Timing Objectives: List acceptable objectives for pruning trees. Objectives: Select appropriate pruning types/methods to achieve the objectives. Practices/techniques Pruning systems/types Standards and best practices: Prune trees according to applicable standards and best practices. Writing specifications: Write pruning specifications. Proper cuts Root pruning: Understand and prescribe root pruning. Utility pruning Tools Improper pruning: Recognize signs and symptoms of poor pruning practices. Wound dressings: Understand when and where wound dressings are needed. Diagnosis and Treatment Plant health care: Implement plant health care management plans. Plant health care: Develop a plant health care management plan. PHC principles Stress factors: Compounding factors: Discuss how plant health problems sometime result from a combination of factors. VII A 3 x x 2 VII A 4 Compounding factors: Determine differences between primary and secondary diseases. Predators, parasites, beneficials
VII B VII B 1 VII B 2 VII B 3 VII B 4 VII B 5 VII B 6 VII C VII C 1 VII C 2 VII C 3 VII D VII D 1 VII D 2 VII D 3 VII D 4 VII E VII E 1 VII E 2 VII E 3 VII E 4 VII E 5 VII F x x x 1 VII F x x x 2 VII F 1 VII F 2 VII F 3 VII F 4 VII G x x x 1 VII G x x x 2 Diagnosis principles and practices: Diagnose common tree health problems. Identification of the plant Signs and symptoms: Recognize symptoms and signs of plant health problems. Living vs. nonliving: Distinguish between plant problems caused by living organisms and non-living disorders. Key/common pests: Identify common causes of tree health problems (pests, diseases, abiotic and biotic disorders). Tools and methods Use of laboratory Insects, mites, nematodes, larger animals Insects and mites Vectors Other animals Diseases General concepts Fungi Bacteria Viruses, phytoplasmas, other Abiotic disorders Climate Physiological Mechanical Chemical Competition/allelopathy Treatment/management: Recommend treatments for various tree health disorders. Treatment/management: Execute/apply treatments for various tree health disorders. Biological Mechanical Chemical: Recognize that there are pesticide and application regulations. Other Invasives/emerging problems: Detect and monitor for the presence of important, non-native pests. Invasives/emerging problems: Recognize emerging trends of significant/epidemic insects and diseases.
VIII VIII A VIII A 1 VIII A 2 VIII A 3 VIII B VIII B 1 VIII B 2 VIII B 3 VIII C VIII C 1 VIII C 2 VIII D VIII D 1 VIII D 2 VIII D 3 VIII D 4 VIII D 5 VIII D 6 VIII D 7 VIII D 8 VIII E VIII E 1 VIII E 2 VIII E 3 VIII F VIII G IX IX A IX A 1 IX A 2 IX A 3 IX B IX B 1 IX B 2 IX B 3 Urban Forestry Benefits and costs of trees: Discuss the ecological, environmental, economic, social, health, and aesthetic benefits of trees. Sociological benefits Environmental benefits Costs Appraisal and valuation: Know how to appraise the monetary value of trees. Appraisal approaches Real estate value improvement Community tree benefits Regulatory and legal issues Ordinances and tree preservation orders: Understand and apply tree ordinances and tree preservation orders. Permits and licenses Management Tree management plan: Understand the importance of developing and implementing an urban forestry management plan. Risk management plan Wildlife protection: Be aware of fauna and the impact of arboricultural practices on fauna. Planting plan Pruning/maintenance cycle Diversity of species plan Inventory: Understand the importance of developing and maintaining a tree inventory. Invasive species management Information and education: Conduct public education activities about the need for proper tree practices. Communication/cooperation with related professionals Communication with the public Topics Professional ethics: Demonstrate and apply professional ethics in the practice of arboriculture. Best practices: Recognize and implement professional standards in tree care practice. Protection and Preservation Protection: Implement tree protection plans during construction and site development. Planning and tree/site evaluation: Knowledge to read and understand site plans. Communication/cooperation with developers/contractors Tree protection measures: Recommend measures to protect trees from damage during construction. Damage: Describe how construction activities impact the health and stability of trees. Roots Trunk/branches Whole tree
IX C IX C 1 IX C 2 IX C 3 Post-damage management: Recommend treatments for trees that have been damaged during construction Managing risk Improving health Managing long-term impacts: Understand construction impacts on longevity of tree cover and necessity of replanting replacement trees. X X A Tree Risk Management Roles and responsibilities X A 1 Tree owner/manager X A 2 Risk assessor X A 3 Arborist X B Types of risk X B 1 Failure X B 2 Tripping X B 3 Fruit/flowers X B 4 Other X C Risk assessment: Assess tree risk using a valid, acceptable methodology. Levels of assessment: Determine which of the three levels of tree risk assessment is X C 1 x x 1 necessary under various circumstances. Levels of assessment: Be aware of the three levels of tree risk assessment with only three X C 1 x x 2 years of arboricultural experience. X C 2 X C 3 X C 4 X C 5 X C 6 X D X D 1 Pre-work inspection: Understand the importance of evaluating tree stability prior to working within the tree. Establish time frame: Assess the timeframe for likelihood of failure. Target analysis Site analysis: Interpret site evaluation; soils; exposure Tree analysis: Identify tree defects and conditions that could increase the likelihood of failure. Risk analysis Likelihood of failure X D 2 X D 3 X E X F X G X G 1 X G 2 X X H I Likelihood of impact: Assess the likelihood of a tree or tree part failure to impact a target. Consequences: Assess the potential consequences of tree failure. Risk evaluation/comparison with owner tolerance Prioritization of mitigation Mitigation: Recommend measures to mitigate tree risk. Tree-based measures Target-based measures Residual risk (remaining risk after mitigation): Assess residual risk after mitigation options have been implemented. Inspection interval