CATS Arborist Albuquerque Pruning & Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Albuquerque's high desert climate, which pruning cut type removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or parent branch?
- Reduction cut
- Heading cut
- Removal cut (Correct answer)
- Crown lift cut
Correct answer: Removal cut
A removal cut (also called a thinning cut) removes a branch entirely back to its point of origin at the trunk or parent branch.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of crown raising in urban Albuquerque trees?
- Increase fruit production
- Provide clearance for vehicles, pedestrians, and structures (Correct answer)
- Reduce wind resistance
- Stimulate new root growth
Correct answer: Provide clearance for vehicles, pedestrians, and structures
Crown raising removes lower branches to provide vertical clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, and structures in urban environments.
Question 3: Which condition, common in Albuquerque cottonwoods, is characterized by dieback starting at branch tips and progressing inward?
- Crown gall
- Cytospora canker
- Tip dieback (Correct answer)
- Iron chlorosis
Correct answer: Tip dieback
Tip dieback progresses from branch tips inward and can result from drought stress, disease, or environmental factors common in Albuquerque's arid climate.
Question 4: According to ISA standards, what is the maximum recommended wound dressing practice after pruning cuts?
- Apply asphalt-based sealant to all cuts
- Apply latex paint to cuts over 2 inches
- Avoid wound dressings as they provide no benefit and may harm trees (Correct answer)
- Apply copper fungicide paste to all pruning wounds
Correct answer: Avoid wound dressings as they provide no benefit and may harm trees
Current ISA standards advise against wound dressings because research shows they do not prevent decay and can actually impede the tree's natural compartmentalization process.
Question 5: When pruning a Rio Grande cottonwood in Albuquerque, at what time of year should you avoid pruning to minimize beetle pest attraction?
- Late fall through winter
- Early spring when sap is flowing
- Spring through summer (April–August) (Correct answer)
- After the first frost
Correct answer: Spring through summer (April–August)
Cottonwoods and other stressed trees pruned during spring and summer release volatile compounds that attract bark beetles, so pruning should be done in fall or winter when beetles are less active.
Question 6: What does 'crown reduction' differ from 'topping' in arboricultural practice?
- Crown reduction removes only dead branches while topping removes live ones
- Crown reduction uses lateral branch cuts to natural growth points; topping makes internodal cuts (Correct answer)
- Crown reduction is performed only on deciduous trees; topping applies to conifers
- Crown reduction always removes more than 25% of canopy while topping removes less
Correct answer: Crown reduction uses lateral branch cuts to natural growth points; topping makes internodal cuts
Crown reduction reduces tree size by cutting back to lateral branches large enough to assume the terminal role, while topping makes indiscriminate internodal cuts that leave stubs and promote weak regrowth.
Question 7: In Albuquerque's alkaline soils, iron chlorosis in trees is best identified by which visual symptom?
- Dark green leaves with brown crispy edges
- Yellow leaves with green veins (interveinal chlorosis) (Correct answer)
- Wilting leaves that recover at night
- Purple or reddish discoloration of leaves
Correct answer: Yellow leaves with green veins (interveinal chlorosis)
Iron chlorosis causes interveinal chlorosis — leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green — because iron is essential for chlorophyll production and becomes unavailable in high-pH soils.
CATS Arborist Albuquerque Pruning & Care 2
In Albuquerque's high desert climate, which pruning cut type removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or parent branch?