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Title / Train and prune fruit trees
Level / 3 / Credits / 5
Purpose / This unit standard is for people working under limited supervision with responsibility for their work routines,in a production horticulture context.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate understanding of fruit tree training systems; tree growth, health and parts; and train and prune young trees,prunemature fruit trees, and dispose of prunings.
Classification / HorticultureProduction Horticulture
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Evidence requirementsmust be consistent with:
- Workplace procedures
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
2Workplace procedures refer to policies and procedures on safety, operation, and production set down by the employer or host organisation fortraining and pruning young fruit trees, and pruning mature fruit trees
3In the context of this unit standard, understanding means that there should be evidence of a learner’s thorough comprehension of a topic. A learner with a good understanding of a topic should have applied, or should be able to apply what they have learnt to a workplace situation and will be able to alter their practices to the different contexts they are applying their learning to. Assessors should be confident that the learner’s understanding is embedded in their practices and behaviour.
4Definitions
Young trees are those between newly planted and three years old.
Mature trees are those over three years of age.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate understanding of fruit tree training systems; andtree growth, health and parts.
Evidence requirements
1.1Identifythe main forms of training systems used in the workplace in terms of their features.
Rangeat least four types of training systems.
1.2Identify the differences between fruit and vegetative buds in terms of their characteristics.
1.3Describeplant growth in terms of the effects of apical dominance.
1.4Describe the relationship between wound callus and healing, and plant health.
Outcome 2
Train and prune young treesaccording to workplace procedures.
Rangeevidence is required for training and pruning trees of one, two, and three years of age.
Evidence requirements
2.1Select, use, and maintain tools and equipment.
2.2Train shoots into position using training system aids while maintaining apical dominance.
2.3Remove dead, diseased, or pest infested wood.
2.4Remove unsuitable branches or those not wanted for temporary fruiting wood.
2.5Monitor, adjust, and remove training aids.
2.6Remove, and dispose of, or mulch prunings.
2.7Maintain record of training and pruning young trees.
Outcome 3
Prune mature trees and dispose of pruningsaccording to workplace procedures.
Evidence requirements
3.1Select and monitor tools and equipment.
3.2Prune trees to maximise fruit quality and quantity.
3.3Remove dead, diseased, or pest infested wood.
3.4Implement hygiene, and pest and disease prevention measures.
3.5Remove large limbs with minimal damage to remaining tree parts.
3.6Summer prune to maximise crop type and cultivar.
3.7Remove, and dispose of, or mulch prunings.
3.8Maintain records of training and pruning mature trees.
Planned review date / 31 December 2021Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 1 February 1994 / 31 December 2021
Review / 2 / 28 November 1997 / 31 December 2021
Revision / 3 / 19 July 2001 / 31 December 2021
Review / 4 / 27 July 2005 / 31 December 2021
Revision / 5 / 24 February 2006 / 31 December 2021
Review / 6 / 19 January 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0052
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018