Lantra Awards Level 2 Certificate in Land-Based Activities (QCF)

LANTRA-AWARDS

vocational

This element covers the fundamental principles of tree surveying and inspection, including health and safety legislation, hazard identification, legal responsibilities of tree owners, and the distinction between a survey and an inspection. Learners will gain skills in using equipment and pro-formas to record accurate tree data, enabling them to carry out basic surveys and identify hazardous trees in a range of land-based settings.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for correctly identifying and mitigating health and safety risks such as overhead power lines, unstable ground, or falling branches, as per Lantra assessment criteria.
Assessors should look for evidence of understanding the owner's 'duty of care' under the Occupiers' Liability Acts, including regular inspection and maintenance.
Credit should be given for accurate discrimination between a tree survey (broad assessment of tree stock) and a tree inspection (detailed individual tree assessment).
Evidence must include a completed survey pro-forma with accurate species identification, measurements (height, DBH), and condition ratings.
Award marks for correctly identifying visual signs of tree hazards, such as fungal brackets, cavities, deadwood, or root heave, and applying appropriate risk ratings.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for correctly identifying and mitigating health and safety risks such as overhead power lines, unstable ground, or falling branches, as per Lantra assessment criteria.
Assessors should look for evidence of understanding the owner's 'duty of care' under the Occupiers' Liability Acts, including regular inspection and maintenance.
Credit should be given for accurate discrimination between a tree survey (broad assessment of tree stock) and a tree inspection (detailed individual tree assessment).
Evidence must include a completed survey pro-forma with accurate species identification, measurements (height, DBH), and condition ratings.
Award marks for correctly identifying visual signs of tree hazards, such as fungal brackets, cavities, deadwood, or root heave, and applying appropriate risk ratings.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡When completing the survey pro-forma, always cross-reference tree locations with a site plan and use consistent measurement units.
💡In risk assessment, prioritize hazards that pose immediate danger to people or property, and justify your risk ratings clearly.
💡Practice visual tree assessment by observing a wide variety of species in different environments to sharpen your hazard recognition skills.
💡Review the Lantra guidance on tree inspection to understand the scope of work permitted at Level 2, and never exceed your competence.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the roles: assuming a tree survey includes detailed climbing inspections when it is typically a ground-level visual assessment.
Misidentifying hazardous signs: mistaking harmless lichens for pathogenic fungi.
Overlooking the limitations of a basic survey, such as not considering internal decay without advanced tools.
Failing to consider seasonal factors that affect tree appearance, leading to inaccurate condition reports.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Understand the health and safety requirements for carrying out tree surveying and inspections., Know the hazards that may occur when carrying out tree surveying and inspection., Know the principle responsibilities of tree owners., Know the difference between a tree survey and a tree inspection., Know the equipment needed to record accurate tree information., Know how to use a survey pro-forma., Understand the limits and scope of a tree survey., Know how to carry out a basic tree survey., Know what to look for with regard to hazardous trees.

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Lantra Awards Level 2 Certificate in Land-Based Activities (QCF)

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in LANTRA-AWARDS vocational Agriculture

Abrasive Wheel Operations

Animals in Transit

Arboricultural ground worker

Basic Tree Surveying and Inspection