Certified Arborist Test Urban Forestry 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an 'urban forest management plan'?
- A plan to remove all trees from a city
- A strategic document guiding the planting, care, and management of a city's entire tree population (Correct answer)
- A landscaping plan for one property
- A plan to convert urban areas to natural forest
Correct answer: A strategic document guiding the planting, care, and management of a city's entire tree population
An urban forest management plan establishes goals, policies, and strategies for managing a city's tree population including planting targets, maintenance schedules, risk management, and budget allocation.
Question 2: How do urban trees contribute to improved air quality?
- They filter pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves (Correct answer)
- They only produce oxygen with no effect on pollutants
- They increase air pollution by releasing volatile organic compounds
- They have no measurable effect on urban air quality
Correct answer: They filter pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves
Trees remove air pollutants by absorbing gases (O3, NO2, SO2) through stomata and intercepting particulate matter on leaf surfaces. While some species emit VOCs, the net effect on air quality is positive.
Question 3: What challenge do urban trees face that forest trees typically do not?
- Wind exposure
- Restricted root space, soil compaction, pollution, salt, heat stress, and physical damage (Correct answer)
- Lack of sunlight
- Competition from other trees
Correct answer: Restricted root space, soil compaction, pollution, salt, heat stress, and physical damage
Urban trees face a harsh environment: compacted soil with limited volume, road salt, air pollution, reflected heat from pavement, restricted root space, mechanical damage, and vandalism.
Question 4: What is the recommended practice for utility line clearance pruning?
- Topping trees to keep them below wires
- Directional pruning to redirect growth away from lines (Correct answer)
- Removing all trees within 50 feet of lines
- Trimming all branches to the same length
Correct answer: Directional pruning to redirect growth away from lines
Directional pruning removes branches growing toward utility lines while maintaining the tree's natural form. This is more sustainable than topping, which stimulates dense, weakly attached regrowth.
Question 5: How are urban tree benefits typically quantified for public policy decisions?
- By counting the number of trees
- By calculating the dollar value of ecosystem services using tools like i-Tree (Correct answer)
- By measuring total wood volume
- By surveying public opinion only
Correct answer: By calculating the dollar value of ecosystem services using tools like i-Tree
Tools like i-Tree quantify urban tree benefits in dollar values: stormwater reduction, energy savings, air quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and property value increases.
Question 6: Why is community engagement important in urban forestry programs?
- It's not important — professionals should make all decisions
- Engaged communities are more likely to water, protect, and advocate for trees, improving survival rates (Correct answer)
- It's only needed to satisfy legal requirements
- Community input slows down planting programs
Correct answer: Engaged communities are more likely to water, protect, and advocate for trees, improving survival rates
Community engagement increases tree survival by fostering ownership and stewardship. Residents who help select and plant trees are more likely to water, maintain, and protect them.
Certified Arborist Test Urban Forestry 3
What is an 'urban forest management plan'?