CATS Arborist Albuquerque Tree Health & Disease Management 4

Question 1

Which condition in Albuquerque's urban environment most frequently predisposes trees to secondary pest and disease attack?

Accepted Answer

Chronic drought stress combined with soil compaction

Answer

Drought stress weakens a tree's natural defenses, while soil compaction reduces root oxygen and water uptake; together they make urban trees highly susceptible to opportunistic pests and pathogens.

Question 2

When diagnosing suspected root rot in a declining landscape tree, which pathogen genus is most commonly found in New Mexico's poorly drained soils?

Accepted Answer

Phytophthora

Answer

Phytophthora species thrive in saturated soil conditions and cause crown and root rot in a wide range of landscape trees; they are water molds, not true fungi, making many fungicides ineffective.

Question 3

A client reports that their cottonwood's leaves turn yellow and drop prematurely each August. What is the most likely cause in Albuquerque?

Accepted Answer

Marssonina leaf spot (cottonwood leaf blight)

Answer

Marssonina leaf spot causes brown-black spots and premature defoliation of cottonwoods during warm, humid late-summer periods and is common along the Rio Grande corridor.

Question 4

What pruning practice should be strictly avoided when managing trees infected with fire blight in Albuquerque?

Accepted Answer

Pruning without disinfecting tools between cuts

Answer

Fire blight spreads via contaminated tools; arborists must disinfect pruning tools between every cut using 10% bleach solution or 70% isopropyl alcohol to prevent inoculating healthy tissue.

Question 5

What does 'CODIT' stand for and why is it relevant to arborist disease management?

Accepted Answer

Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees — explaining how trees wall off wounded or infected tissue

Answer

CODIT (Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees) describes the four walls trees form around wounds to limit decay spread, guiding arborists to make pruning cuts that maximize compartmentalization.

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

CATS Arborist Albuquerque Tree Health & Disease Management 4