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LOUISIANA ARBORIST EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Discuss the differences between "flush cuts" and proper cuts made to outer portions of branch collar. How do "flush cuts" affect growth? - ANSWERA proper cut leaves the branch bark ridge, branch collar, and swollen collar in tact. It enables the cut to close in a circular fashion. Flush cuts remove it and opens the tree to decay by removing dead wood which branch defense zones form. Explain thinning cut and describe how they will affect the tree. - ANSWERIt is removing the branch back to the lateral branch, large enough to assume terminal role. It opens the tree, reduces weight, reduces height, and retains its shape. Discuss Shingo's theory of walling off infections in trees called CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees). - ANSWER1) Trees are highly compartmentalized.
- If the tree is wounded, it will heal itself by walling itself off from injury. How will pruning a tree at time of transplanting affect tree growth? - ANSWERIt decreases root growth. You should avoid pruning except for broken or damaged limbs. Are there advantages of pruning a tree at planting time? - ANSWERNo What is the major objective in crown cleaning? - ANSWERIt removes dead, diseased, and dying crowded or wealdy attached limbs from the crown. the objective is to correct small growth problems before they get big growth problems. Name five methods used to apply fertilization to trees. - ANSWERBroadcasting, drill hole, injection, foliar application, and implants Are wound dressings or paint recommended after making pruning cuts? Why? - ANSWERNo, studies show it does no good. What is the purpose of crown restoration? - ANSWERImproves structure and appearance of improperly pruned or storm-damaged trees by encouraging new growth. List 3 ways cavities are started in trees. - ANSWERInsects, lightning, and wounds. What is the definition of a tree? - ANSWERA woody perennial with one or several trunks which grow higher than 12-15 ft in height. List five species of trees to plant under a power line. - ANSWERCrape myrtle, chaste tree, red bud, silver bell, dogwood.
If you want to fertilize a tree by broadcasting 4 lbs. of actual nitrogen and want to use 16-4-8 fertilizer, how often would you apply it over 1000 sq. ft. in one year? - ANSWER1 lb. of Nitrogen / .16 (N in fertilizer) = 6.25 lbs per 1,000 ft. 6.25 lbs of Fertilizer x 4 lbs of N = 25 lbs of Fertilizer annually. 6.25 lbs. of 16-4-8 fertilizer should be applied 4 times a year. List the most important pieces of safety equipment when using a chainsaw. - ANSWERSafety glasses, earplugs, face shield, hard hat, leg protection, and boots. List the major parts of a tree and their function. - ANSWERLeaves - photosynthesis, transpiration. Trunk/Stems - conduct, support, storage. Roots - anchorage, absorbing, storage, conduction. Flowers - reproduction. Fruit-ripened seed, pistil What is the most critical time after transplanting a tree and why? - ANSWERThe 1st year to focus on root establishment. What are the benefits of mulching a young tree? - ANSWERTo conserve moisture, reduce competition from weeds and grass, improve soil structure, and aesthetic value. List 3 benefits of mulch. - ANSWER1) Retains moisture.
- Reduces weeds.
- Insulates roots. Why is the use of spurs prohibited on living trees? - ANSWERIt causes wounds and damages the tree. What is chlorosis in a tree and how is it treated? - ANSWERThe yellowing of leaves can be treated with Manganese. Why is it recommended to use a block when lowering a heavy limb? - ANSWERTo carry the load and reduce injury to a crotch from a climber's line. Describe how to cut down a large limb. - ANSWERPlace the rigging point above the work, tie the limb at the butt, then cut and lower the limb to the ground. What other activities can a climbing rope be used for? - ANSWERTo secure a climber to the tree for use of 2-hands, to swing, and for rescue. Distinguish between narrow and wide crotch angles. Could either harm the tree? - ANSWERCrotch angles are where branches fork, or where a main limb joins the trunk. Narrow Crotch angles (Tight) are where the angle between two branches is too narrow (less than 45 degrees). they can lead to structure weaknesses and tree failure
Explain CODIT. - ANSWERWhen a tree is wounded, cells undergo changes to form "walls" around the wound, slowing or preventing the spread of disease and decay to the rest of the tree. What is a branch collar? - ANSWERthe area where a limb or branch joins the trunk and xylem tissues are interwoven. Name the two parts of a scientific name. - ANSWERGenus and species. Name the spaces between soil particles. - ANSWERPore spaces, micropores (water), macropores (oxygen). When can spurs be used to climb trees? - ANSWERTo perform a rescue, to remove the tree, or with written permission from the owner. Short, shallow, and frequent irrigation is better than long, deep, infrequent irrigation?
- ANSWERFalse List the benefits of mulch. - ANSWERMaintain moisture, control weeds, insulation, aeration, aesthetic value, and reduce soil pathogens. List 3 natural, organic fertilizers. - ANSWERBone and blood meal, manure, and sewer sludge. Using 2 lbs. of actual N per 1,000 sq. ft. with a 13-13-13 fertilizer, how much would you need to cover 2,000 sq. ft.? - ANSWER2 lbs of N / .13 (Fertilizer = 15.4 lbs. of fertilizer 15.4 * 2 = 30.8 lbs. of fertilizer What should you know about a tree before you plant or recommend it to a customer?
- ANSWERSize limits, growth rate, hardiness, form, soil pH, adaptability, disease/insect resistance. Fertilizer is always recommended at the time of planting. - ANSWERFalse Where along the branch, should a pruning cut be made? - ANSWEROutside of the branch collar. What is the purpose of dead wooding? - ANSWERTo remove dead, diseased, or dying limbs. This increases air circulation and improves beauty. What are some problems associated with topping or heading back a tree? - ANSWER1) Removes much of the leaf surface area needed to produce food and the food storage reserves.
- Leaves large wounds that are slow to heal and becomes entry points for insects and disease organisms.
- Allows strong sunlight to enter the central parts of the tree, resulting in sunscald, cracks and peeling bark. Are the use of wound dressings beneficial? - ANSWERNo
Name or describe 3 cabling techniques. - ANSWERDirect, triangular, and box or rotary. What circumstances warrant lightning protection for a tree? - ANSWER1) Historical trees.
- Expensive trees.
- Trees people will seek shelter under. Name the common causes of plant disease. - ANSWERFungus and bacteria. What is the most serious damage to a tree caused by construction? - ANSWERCompaction. Construction fences should be placed as far from the trunk as possible. - ANSWERTrue What is the minimum diameter for a climbing rope? - ANSWER1/2" diameter. What is ANSI 2-133.1? - ANSWERSafety standards for tree care operations. Sites of rapid cell division in the root tips, and cambiums are called? - ANSWERMeristems Besides primary, what are the meristems located at the end of the shoots called? - ANSWERapical What is the tendency for terminal buds to inhibit the growth of lateral buds called? - ANSWERapical dominance What are the "food factories" of trees? - ANSWERleaves What is the process that combines carbon dioxide and water in a reaction driven by light to produce sugars? - ANSWERphotosynthesis What is the process called by which chemical energy, stored as sugar and water, is released? - ANSWERRespiration What are trees that lose their leaves in autumn called? - ANSWERDeciduous What are trees that maintain their leaves for more than one year called? - ANSWEREvergreen Term - uses more energy than it produces. - ANSWERSink Term - mostly located in the upper 12 inches (30 cm) of soil. - ANSWERAbsorbing Roots What are products of photosynthesis? - ANSWERoxygen and sugars
What do roots and fungi form, which are a symbiotic relationship, aiding in the uptake of water and minerals? - ANSWERMycorrhizae Term - "stalk" of a leaf. - ANSWERPetiole Term - cells that cross the phloem and xylem for a radial transport. - ANSWERRay Term - waxy covering of a leaf. - ANSWERCuticle Term - small opening in stems for gas exchange. - ANSWERLenticel Term - between the nodes of a twig. - ANSWERInternode Term - mature, green leaves - sugar producers. - ANSWERSource Term - green pigment. - ANSWERChlorophyll When cutting through a tree with a chain saw or drilling into a tree, what order would you pass through the following: xylem, bark, phloem, cambium? - ANSWERBark, Phloem, Cambium, Xylem If the terminal bud is removed in pruning, a) growth may be stimulated in lateral buds. b) flowering is stimulated to enhance fruit production. c) the branch will die off. d) all of the above. - ANSWERA The growth ring of many trees, a) are visible because of rapid growth of earlywood relative to latewood. b) can be counted to approximate a tree's age. c) can give information about growing conditions in previous years. d) all of the above. - ANSWERD Which layer of cells is responsible for outward trunk growth and increased girth of a tree? - ANSWERCambium Mycorrhizae are: a) collar-rot fungi. b) elongated underground stems producing sucker sprouts. c) a symbiotic relationship between fungi and roots. d) cells in which photosynthesis takes place. - ANSWERC What is the classification of plants called? - ANSWERTaxonomy List the levels of plant classification. - ANSWERKingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Specific Epithet (KPCOFGS) What are vascular plants whose seeds are covered (by an ovary) called? - ANSWERAngiosperms
What are vascular plants with "naked seeds" called? - ANSWERGynosperms What is the group of plants called that grasses, banana and palm trees belong to, which have only one seed leaf? - ANSWERMonocotyledons (monocots) What is the naming of things called? - ANSWERNomenclature Name five plant characteristics used to identify trees. - ANSWERForm or growth habit, bark texture, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, buds, leaf scars, scent. How many buds will a compound leaflet with multiple leaflets have? - ANSWEROne In the scientific name Acer saccharum, what does Acer identify and what does saccharum identify? - ANSWERAcer identifies the genus and saccharum identifies the specific epithet. What can species be subdivided into when they have distinct differences in from the general species? - ANSWERvarieties and cultivars What is a cultivated variety of plant called? - ANSWERcultivar What is water that drains from the macrospores called? - ANSWERGravitational water What is the term for soil, following drainage? - ANSWERField capacity Most soil organisms cause disease or decay in tree roots. - ANSWERFalse Many tree roots exist in a symbiotic relationship with fungi that assist the tree in water and mineral absorption. - ANSWERTrue Most of the fine, absorbing roots are typically found near the soil surface because: a) roots grow where conditions are favorable. b) roots need UV light to drive respiration. c) the pH of the soil is generally higher near the surface. d) phosphorus and potassium are more available. - ANSWERA When two leaves and /or buds are located at the same node on a twig, what is the arrangement called? - ANSWEROpposite Which genus of tree does not have an opposite leaf arrangement? a) Acer (maples) b) Fraximus (ash) c) Quercus (oaks) d) Cornus (dogwoods) - ANSWERC Which conifers have needles in bundles? a) hemlocks b) firs c) pines
c) a high water content will reduce the damaging effects. d) total pore space and the percentage of macropores are reduced. - ANSWERD A characteristic of sandy soils in arid regions is that they: a) tend to become alkaline, and salts build up due to lack of heavy rainfall. b) tend to become acid because basic ions leach out. c) are fine in texture due to high sand content. d) have a high water-holding capacity because rainfall is scare. - ANSWERA When are the most beneficial times to irrigate plants? - ANSWERLate night or early morning. What is the rate in which water soaks into the soil? - ANSWERInfiltration In most instances, it is preferable to minimize water irrigation directly to the foliage of plants. - ANSWERTrue What is a measure of the rate of water used by plants and evaporation from the soil known as? - ANSWEREvapotranspiration What is a landscape specifically designed to collect and hold stormwater runoff called? - ANSWERRain Garden What are materials sprayed on plants to reduce water loss through transpiration? - ANSWERAntitranspirants Name 3 items used to monitor soil wetness or dryness. - ANSWERSoil probes, tensiometers, and electronic moisture sensors Drought problems can be especially severe following periods of moderate to high soil moisture conditions. - ANSWERTrue Name 3 tree health problems associated with flooding: - ANSWERRoot suffocation/death Soil organisms killed Predisposition to other stress factors Root collar rot Tree prone to toppling Mineral toxicities In sites where poor drainage can be a problem, which of the following will NOT help ensure plant survival? a) careful plant selection and shallow planting. b) improvement of surface drainage by changing the grade, or trenching. c) installation of drainage tiles. d) placing gravel in the bottom of the planting hole and backfilling with sandy soil. - ANSWERD Surface application of fertilizer is relatively inexpensive and makes the fertilizer available in the upper few inches of soil. - ANSWERTrue
What is the biggest problem with deep root fertilization? - ANSWERFertilizer is placed below the absorbing roots. What type of deficiencies are foliar application fertilizers sometimes used to correct?
- ANSWERMicronutrient Name 2 limitations to trunk implants and microinjections. - ANSWERLimited to trees over 4 inches in diameter. Not suited for addressing macronutrient deficiencies. Resulting wounds limit ability to repeat applications. How do trees take up essential elements through their roots? - ANSWERDissolved in water. What elements are required by trees in large quantities? - ANSWERMacronutrients What macronutrient is a constituent of chlorophyll and , if deficient, can cause reduced growth and yellowing of foliage? - ANSWERNitrogen What is the yellowing of leaf veins called, which may be the result of mineral deficiencies? - ANSWERChlorosis Why is it desirable to use slow-release fertilizers? - ANSWERThey release nutrients, usually nitrogen, over an extended period of time. What is listed on the container label that gives the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium? - ANSWERFertilizer analysis How much actual nitrogen does a 50-lb bag of 20-10-5 fertilizer contain? - ANSWER10 lbs. What form of fertilizer are manure and sewer sluge? - ANSWEROrganic What type of fertilizer should be used if "burn" or leaching are potential problems? - ANSWERSlow-release If the concentration of salts within the surrounding soil is much greater than the concentration of solutes found in root cells, water is "drawn out" of the roots by a process called what? - ANSWERReverse osmosis What is the most important factor for good uptake of fertilizer elements? - ANSWERAdequate water Wilting, marginal burning, and dieback may be symptoms of what kind of excess in the root zone? - ANSWERFertilizer salts What is the washing out of chemicals down through the soil called? - ANSWERLeaching
What species of tree would not be appropriate for planting under utility wires? - ANSWERAny species that grows higher than the wires. What is the ability of a tree to withstand low temperatures and winter stresses in a given site? - ANSWERHardiness Name 3 site characteristics that must be considered in tree selection. - ANSWERGrowing space Light conditions Soil conditions Climate Functional requirements What type of important tree selection are upright, pyramidal, and weeping? - ANSWERGrowth habits Name 3 plant characteristics that may make a tree aesthetically desireable? - ANSWERFlowers Attractiveness to birds Fall color Exfoliating bark Growth habit What is the gradual process by which a tree adapts to changes in its environment? - ANSWERAcclimation Fastigiate trees have a growth form that is: a) upright b) weeping c) overaching d) vase-shaped - ANSWERA If a tree declines or dies within the first year following installation, a likely cause is excess or insufficient water. - ANSWERTrue Leaf scorch, girdling roots, and mineral deficiencies are examples of what kind of disorder? - ANSWERAbiotic Insect damage to trees is usually the result of what? - ANSWERFeeding and egg laying Name 5 types of tree insect pests with chewing mouth parts. - ANSWERBeetles Caterpillars Weevils Leafminers Borers Webworms
Name 5 types of tree insect pests with piercing/sucking mouth parts. - ANSWERAphids, Adelgids Scales Leafhoppers Mealybugs True bugs Psyllids What are insects that carry plant pathogens called? - ANSWERVectors What is swollen plant tissue, often insect or mite induced, called? - ANSWERGall What is reduced growth called? - ANSWERStunting What are dead spots on foliage called? - ANSWERLeaf spot What is a causal agent of disease called? - ANSWERPathogen Mites are not actually insects. - ANSWERTrue, they are closer related to spiders and ticks. What are microscopic worms that sometimes feed on trees and may carry diseases called? - ANSWERNematodes Vascular diseases are rarely fatal to trees. - ANSWERFalse Diseases that affect only the foliage of a tree may not be a serious problem unless defoliation occurs in several consecutive years. - ANSWERTrue Most fungi cause plant disease. - ANSWERFalse The pathogens that cause plant disease are primarily fungi. - ANSWERTrue What is the disease Fire Blight caused by? - ANSWERBacterium What is the chemical inhibition of growth and development of one plant to another called? - ANSWERAllelopathy Pollution damage is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may mimic other problems, such as insect injury and mineral dificiencies. - ANSWERTrue What are curling and cupping of the foliage, and parallel venation, common symptoms of? - ANSWERHerbicide What is localized dead tissue, often shrunken and discolored called? - ANSWERCanker A condition characterized by a cluster of dwarf shoots on affected twigs is called: a) witch's broom.
What is the Standard of Care? - ANSWERThe gauge against which acts are judged as reasonable. Which type of decay primarily affects the lignin within and between the cell walls in the wood, reducing the tree's compressive strength? - ANSWERWhite rot What do you call organisms that are frequently encountered in landscapes, predictably cause injury to plants, and may induce particularly noxious pests in the area? - ANSWERKey pests What is an extensive planting of the same plant species called? - ANSWERMonocultures What is it called when a pest population rapidly rebounds in the absence of natural enemies, which are slower to repopulate than the pest? - ANSWERPest Resurgence What is the program Plant Health Care used to manage? - ANSWERThe appearance, structure, and health of plants. What does the mortality spiral describe? - ANSWERThe cumulative effects of stress causing decline of a plant over time. By definition, a tree cannot pose a risk if there is no what? - ANSWERTarget What do trees produce to provide stability to compensate for lean. - ANSWERReaction wood What does brown rot fungi decay, leaving behind the stiff lignin and thereby reducing the bending strength of the tree? - ANSWERCellulose Trees that lean because of ground failure or root injury have a high potential to fail. - ANSWERTrue What can be used as a technique to reduce soil compaction around trees on a construction site? - ANSWERSpread a temporary, thick layer of mulch. The overriding objective of an arborist involved in a development project is to save every tree on the site. - ANSWERFalse What is the difference between arborculture and urban forestry? - ANSWERArboculture focuses on the tree while urban forestry focuses on the forest. Name 3 types of notches used in tree felling? - ANSWEROpen face Traditional (45 degrees) Humboldt A felling notch should not generally exceed a depth of how much? - ANSWER1/3 the diameter of the tree.
What is critical in controlling the direction of a tree falling? - ANSWERThe hinge What is it called when a tree is leaning in the direction of a fall or has internal faults, and splits upward from the back cut? - ANSWERBarber chair, and it is extremely dangerous What occurs when trees take up CO2 in the atmosphere and "store" it in the form of wood and other carbon-based tissues? - ANSWERCarbon sequestration List 4 types of data that are typically collected in a tree inventory. - ANSWERSpecies Diameter Location Condition codes Maintenance codes Notes What is the process of decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms? - ANSWERComposting What is the proper acknowledgement a climber must hear, in response to "Stand clear," before proceeding? - ANSWERAll clear
