Identify tree species and their properties
Overview
This standard covers the activities required to identify tree species and their properties in either a commercial or amenity context. This may include the identification of both standing trees and felled timber.
Tree species identification is a fundamental aspect for anyone working in the trees and timber industry, and an understanding of tree properties is essential when working with trees.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
- assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out before starting work and throughout the activity, checking and confirming the findings of any existing risk assessments
- confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
- obtain and use the relevant identification tools and reference sources to accurately identify tree species and their properties
- use tree characteristics to aid identification
- use features of the surrounding area to aid identification
- identify tree species in all seasons
- identify common trees grown in the UK using botanical classification and nomenclature
- recognise how tree properties influence working methods
- recognise how timber properties influence their utilisation
- identify tree genera from timber samples
- maintain accurate tree identification records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out and the importance of site-specific risk assessment and control measures that are as relevant to your area of work
- the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
- how to use identification tools and reference sources to aid identification of tree species and their properties, including the use of digital technology
- how to use identification keys
- the basic principles of botanical classification and nomenclature
- the importance of using the correct formats when using botanical names
- how tree characteristics can aid identification
- how the features of the surrounding area can aid identification
- how to identify trees in different seasons
- the different plant and tree life cycles (age classes)
- the preferred growing conditions of different tree species
- how the effects of tree properties influence working methods
- how the timber of different tree species is used
- the landscape use of different tree species in a commercial or amenity context
- the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Features of the surrounding area could include:
• location – area of the UK
• terrain – mountainous, hilly, flat plain, coastal etc
• ground conditions – rocky, dry, damp, scrubland, marshy etc
• local features – vegetation, hedgerows, fields, forest, woodland, park, close to water etc
Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.
Tree characteristics include:
• leaves or needles – type, shape, size, appearance, texture and colour
• overall size and shape of the tree
• leaf buds and twigs – arrangement, shape and appearance
• bark – appearance, texture, markings and colour
• growth habit
• flowers
• seeds and fruit