Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following is part of sustainable landscape practices?

Daily watering with no schedule
Synthetic turf everywhere
Frequent pesticide use
Use of native plants and compost (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use of native plants and compost

Sustainable landscape practices focus on minimizing environmental impact and conserving resources. Using native plants is crucial because they are adapted to local conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Incorporating compost enriches the soil naturally, improving its structure and nutrient content, which reduces the need for synthetic amendments and supports overall ecosystem health.

Question 2: A landscape technician notices an irrigation leak on a client's property not included in the current service contract. The best action is to:

Ignore it since it is not in the contract
Cover the leak with mulch to hide it
Document it with a photo and notify the client promptly (Correct answer)
Fix it immediately and charge without informing the client

Correct answer: Document it with a photo and notify the client promptly

Documenting and promptly notifying the client of observed issues protects both the client's property and the technician's professional standing and liability.

Question 3: Which employment classification describes a worker who sets their own hours, uses their own tools, and controls how work is performed?

Part-time employee
Independent contractor (Correct answer)
Full-time employee
Seasonal employee

Correct answer: Independent contractor

An independent contractor controls the means and manner of their work, uses their own tools, and is not subject to the same employer direction as employees.

Question 4: Phosphorus application is best timed to:

Be applied during heavy rain
Be applied after harvest only
Be incorporated before planting (Correct answer)
Be sprayed on foliage

Correct answer: Be incorporated before planting

Phosphorus is relatively immobile in soil and should be incorporated before planting so roots can access it at the root zone.

Question 5: What does 'head-to-head coverage' mean in sprinkler design?

Two heads pointing at each other
Each sprinkler throws water to reach the next head's location (Correct answer)
Double-stacking of pop-up heads
Heads installed back-to-back on a single lateral

Correct answer: Each sprinkler throws water to reach the next head's location

Head-to-head coverage means each sprinkler's throw radius reaches the adjacent head, ensuring overlapping coverage and uniform distribution.

Question 6: Tree wound dressings (pruning paint) are now generally NOT recommended by arborists because research shows they:

Do not prevent decay and may interfere with the tree's natural compartmentalization (Correct answer)
Attract more insects to wounds
Are too expensive for routine use
Are toxic to the tree's cambium

Correct answer: Do not prevent decay and may interfere with the tree's natural compartmentalization

Studies show wound dressings do not prevent decay or infection and can seal in moisture and pathogens, impairing the tree's natural CODIT response.

Question 7: Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when spraying pesticides typically includes:

Chemically resistant gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and a respirator as label-specified (Correct answer)
A hard hat and steel-toe boots only
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Only safety glasses

Correct answer: Chemically resistant gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and a respirator as label-specified

Pesticide label PPE requirements are legally mandated; typical requirements include chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear, long sleeves, and in some cases, a respirator.

Question 8: Which factor is most important when selecting plants for a site?

Soil, sunlight, and water conditions (Correct answer)
Availability of tools
Price of grass seed
Color of mulch

Correct answer: Soil, sunlight, and water conditions

The success of any plant depends on its suitability to the specific environmental conditions of the site. Matching a plant's needs for soil type, pH, drainage, sunlight exposure, and water availability to the site's characteristics is paramount for its health and long-term survival and thriving.

Question 9: Which certification is specifically designed for horticulture technicians working in the landscape industry?

ISA Certified Arborist
CHT – Certified Horticultural Technician (Correct answer)
CLP – Certified Landscape Professional
NALP Green Industry Credential

Correct answer: CHT – Certified Horticultural Technician

The CHT (Certified Horticultural Technician) credential from PLANET/NALP is specifically designed for landscape technicians demonstrating competency in horticulture and landscape skills.

Question 10: The 'drip line' of a tree refers to:

The path sap takes down the trunk
The outermost edge of the tree canopy projected onto the ground (Correct answer)
The irrigation emitter placement zone
Resin or sap dripping from wounds

Correct answer: The outermost edge of the tree canopy projected onto the ground

The drip line is the circular area on the ground directly below the outermost branch tips of a tree, approximating the extent of the root zone.

Question 11: Division as a propagation method is best suited for:

Large shade trees
Tropical palms
Annual vegetables
Clump-forming perennials and ornamental grasses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clump-forming perennials and ornamental grasses

Division involves separating the crown and root system of clump-forming perennials and grasses into sections, each with roots attached for immediate replanting.

Question 12: What does 'CODIT' stand for in tree pathology?

Controlled Organic Disease in Timber
Crown-Originated Decay Isolation Theory
Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees (Correct answer)
Complete Organic Decay in Timber

Correct answer: Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees

CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees) describes the natural defense mechanism trees use to wall off wounded and decaying tissue through chemical and structural barriers.

Question 13: Job costing in a horticulture business involves:

Estimating competitors' costs
Setting annual company budgets
Tracking actual labor and material expenses per job to compare against the estimate (Correct answer)
Calculating employee bonuses

Correct answer: Tracking actual labor and material expenses per job to compare against the estimate

Job costing tracks real labor hours and material costs on each job and compares them against the estimate, revealing profitability and areas for operational improvement.

Question 14: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

A key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance is adhering to a 'Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard.' This refers to established best practices, guidelines, and industry benchmarks that ensure consistent quality, health, and appearance of landscapes. Following these standards prevents guesswork, promotes efficiency, and ensures the long-term vitality of turf and ornamental plants.

Question 15: Soil compaction primarily harms plants by:

Increasing water retention too much
Reducing pore space, limiting root growth and gas exchange (Correct answer)
Increasing nitrogen levels
Raising soil pH

Correct answer: Reducing pore space, limiting root growth and gas exchange

Compaction crushes soil pores, restricting root penetration, oxygen availability, and water infiltration critical for plant health.

Question 16: Gray water reuse in landscape irrigation refers to:

Using stormwater collected in ponds
Using water from pool draining
Applying reclaimed municipal wastewater
Recycling household sink and laundry water for irrigation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Recycling household sink and laundry water for irrigation

Gray water is lightly used household water from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be redirected to irrigate non-edible landscape plants after basic treatment.

Question 17: Which measurement is used to express tree trunk size for transplanting specifications in the US?

Crown spread in feet
Root ball diameter
Caliper (trunk diameter in inches, measured 6 inches above grade) (Correct answer)
Height in feet

Correct answer: Caliper (trunk diameter in inches, measured 6 inches above grade)

The American Standard for Nursery Stock specifies trunk caliper (diameter) measured at 6 inches above grade for trees up to 4-inch caliper as the sizing standard.

Question 18: What is 'water hammer' in irrigation systems?

A tool used to drive stakes
Mineral buildup in pipes
A pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure (Correct answer)
Excessive water pressure at emitters

Correct answer: A pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure

Water hammer is a pressure shock wave created when valves close rapidly, potentially damaging pipes, fittings, and heads in the irrigation system.

Question 19: Drip emitters are typically rated by their flow rate in:

Gallons per hour (GPH) (Correct answer)
Cubic feet per second (CFS)
Gallons per minute (GPM)
Liters per second (LPS)

Correct answer: Gallons per hour (GPH)

Drip emitters deliver water very slowly and are rated in gallons per hour (GPH), with common rates of 0.5, 1, and 2 GPH.

Question 20: Which pruning cut removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or a larger branch?

Thinning cut (Correct answer)
Heading cut
Stub cut
Crown reduction cut

Correct answer: Thinning cut

A thinning cut removes an entire branch back to its origin at the parent branch or trunk, improving light and air penetration without stimulating excessive regrowth.

Question 21: What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation over overhead sprinklers?

Lower installation cost
Covers larger areas faster
Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation (Correct answer)
Requires no filtration

Correct answer: Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation losses and reducing foliar disease risk.

Question 22: When is the best time to prune most flowering trees that bloom in spring?

Midsummer during active growth
Late winter before budbreak
Late fall after leaf drop
Immediately after flowering in spring (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Immediately after flowering in spring

Spring-blooming trees set their flower buds the previous season; pruning immediately after bloom preserves the current flowers and allows new bud development for next year.

Question 23: Tree topping is considered poor arboricultural practice primarily because it:

Removes too few branches at once
Creates large wounds, stimulates weak water sprouts, and accelerates decline (Correct answer)
Makes trees grow too slowly
Costs too much to perform

Correct answer: Creates large wounds, stimulates weak water sprouts, and accelerates decline

Topping creates large, exposed wounds prone to decay, triggers vigorous but weakly attached water sprouts, and stresses trees, often leading to structural failure and decline.

Question 24: Organic matter improves soil structure primarily by:

Eliminating all pests
Binding soil particles into aggregates (Correct answer)
Lowering soil pH significantly
Increasing soil density

Correct answer: Binding soil particles into aggregates

Organic matter acts as a binding agent, promoting aggregation of soil particles into crumbs that improve aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration.

Question 25: Which tool is used to assess whether a tree's trunk is hollow or has internal decay?

Soil probe
Hygrometer
Resistograph or mallet sounding (Correct answer)
Increment borer

Correct answer: Resistograph or mallet sounding

A resistograph measures drilling resistance to detect internal decay, and mallet sounding uses hollow vs. solid audio cues to locate internal cavities.

Question 26: Evapotranspiration (ET) data is used in irrigation scheduling to:

Identify plant diseases
Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace (Correct answer)
Calculate soil pH
Determine fertilizer rates

Correct answer: Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace

ET values quantify water lost through evaporation and plant transpiration, helping irrigators apply exactly the amount needed to maintain soil moisture.

Question 27: Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for promoting cell elongation and is produced in the apical meristem?

Gibberellin
Abscisic acid
Cytokinin
Auxin (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Auxin

Auxin (IAA) is produced in apical meristems and promotes cell elongation by loosening cell walls, driving stem extension.

Question 28: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 29: Turgor pressure in plant cells is caused by:

Cellulose microfibrils expanding under light exposure
The weight of cytoplasm pushing against the cell wall
Water entering the vacuole via osmosis, pushing against the cell wall (Correct answer)
ATP-driven pumps inflating the central vacuole

Correct answer: Water entering the vacuole via osmosis, pushing against the cell wall

When water enters the central vacuole by osmosis, it creates turgor pressure that keeps non-woody plant cells rigid and maintains wilting resistance.

Question 30: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 31: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Guesswork method
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance
Ignoring safety

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

A 'Plant Identification & Pest Management standard' is a key concept because it ensures consistent, accurate, and effective practices in horticulture. These standards provide reliable methods for identifying plants and pests, leading to appropriate and environmentally responsible management strategies. Following them is essential for plant health and sustainable practices.

Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT)

The NALP CHT certification validates horticultural professionals on plant science, plant health care, irrigation management, and business operations across two scored exam sections, each requiring a 70% passing score.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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