The Workshop

During this workshop you will get an overview of essential aspects and approaches to professional tree assessment. The workshop will be delivered via three progressive sessions, each 2 hours in duration. 

Session 1: Overview of Tree Structure and Function

• • What is a tree?
  • Monocots and eudicots
  • Primary and secondary growth
  • Main organs
  • Structure of phloem, xylem, cambium, and their integrated function
  • Absorption
  • Translocation and transpiration
  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Gaseous exchange

Session 2: Overview of Tree Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• • Kingdom Plantae explained
  • Origin of nomenclature system
  • Taxonomic hierarchy
  • Nomenclature/taxonomy conventions
  • Application and use of nomenclature/taxonomy
  • Changes in nomenclature/taxonomy

Session 3: Overview of Tree Assessment

• • Methods of tree assessment
  • Approaches to tree assessment
  • Essential information
  • Depth and extent of assessment
  • Biotic and abiotic tree pests, diseases, and disorders
  • Field work
  • Reporting

After completing this workshop, attendees will be familiar with defining tree biological processes, understanding tree nomenclature/taxonomy, and linking these factors into a practical and/or written tree assessment.

Timing

Who should attend?

Sessions are informal and relevant to arborists working within the industry, whether aspiring or experienced. Information is complementary and supplementary to AQF certificate/diploma studies.

This workshop is 60% classroom-based, centred on illustrated slide presentations that encourage discussion and interaction, plus 40% outdoors. 

The Presenter

Bryan Gould has enjoyed a lengthy career in tree care and management having worked as a climber, supervisor, manager, consultant, and AQF teacher/trainer. He has extensive experience in commercial tree care, arboreta and collection curation, municipal urban forest management and AQF L3/4/5/6 arboriculture education.

Bryan is a Senior Parks Project Officer with Gold Coast City Council and is the Principal of ARB101 who provide arboriculture advocacy, consultancy, and education. He holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Management, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science Horticulture, a Bachelors Degree in Arboriculture, and is TRAQ qualified.

Bryan’s goal for his series of workshops is to cover issues of interest, providing relevant information and insight on arboriculture topics, that support arborists to better understand aspects of arboricultural/ biological/environmental and commercial management.

The Workshop

During this workshop you will get an overview of key points and principles concerning professional tree risk assessment. The workshop, which will be delivered across one day comprising three 2-hour sessions, will consider the contents of the AA/NZARB MIS501 Tree Risk Assessment document.  

Session 1: Tree Risk Assessment and Methodology

• • Introduction to Tree Risk Assessment
    • Defining risk
    • Risk in context
    • Applying tree risk assessments
  • Tree Risk Terminology
    • Risk factors
    • Probability and likelihood
  • Risk Thresholds
    • Quantitative tree risk assessment
    • Qualitative tree risk assessment
    • Comparative tree risk assessment

Session 2: Tree Risk Assessment Components

• • Assessing Targets
    • Types of target
    • Target zones
    • Target occupancy
    • Specifying targets
    • Specifying target zones
    • Specifying multiple probable targets
  • Assessing Tree Failure
    • Factors for risk assessment
    • The likelihood of failure
    • Trees with multiple factors
    • Cognitive bias affecting assessment of likelihood
  • Assessing Impacts
    • Likelihood of impact
    • Likely consequences
    • Range of consequences

Session 3: Tree Risk Assessment Extent and Scope

• • Context of Tree Risk Assessment
    • Limits of assessment
    • Levels of tree assessment
    • Level 1 limited visual assessment
    • Level 2 visual assessment
    • Level 3 advanced assessment
  • Providing Advice on Tree Risk
    • Benchmarking risk
    • Risk controls (mitigation)
    • Determining/communicating residual risk
    • Values/benefits of trees
    • Priority and timeframe for implementing control measures
    • Recommending other works
    • Auditing of controls
  • Competency to Perform Tree Risk Assessment
    • Benchmarking and auditing assessment of risk
    • Maintaining industry currency
  • Concluding Comments
    • Appendix 1: Tree risk assessment reports
    • Appendix 2: Tree risk management process

After completing this workshop, attendees will understand the principles of how to approach and undertake a tree risk assessment that incorporates key factors and provides meaningful information to an agency or client.

Timing

Who should attend?

Sessions are informal and relevant to arborists working within the industry, whether aspiring or experienced. Information is complementary and supplementary to AQF certificate/diploma studies.

This workshop is 60% classroom-based, centred on illustrated slide presentations that encourage discussion and interaction, plus 40% outdoors. 

The Presenter

Bryan Gould has enjoyed a lengthy career in tree care and management having worked as a climber, supervisor, manager, consultant, and AQF teacher/trainer. He has extensive experience in commercial tree care, arboreta and collection curation, municipal urban forest management and AQF L3/4/5/6 arboriculture education.

Bryan is a Senior Parks Project Officer with Gold Coast City Council and is the Principal of ARB101 who provide arboriculture advocacy, consultancy, and education. He holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Management, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science Horticulture, a Bachelors Degree in Arboriculture, and is TRAQ qualified.

Bryan’s goal for his series of workshops is to cover issues of interest, providing relevant information and insight on arboriculture topics, that support arborists to better understand aspects of arboricultural/ biological/environmental and commercial management.