Arboriculture & Tree Care Flashcards

The 'drip line' of a tree refers to:

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.

Girdling roots are a serious concern for trees because they:

Answer: Wrap around the trunk and restrict water and nutrient flow as the tree grows

Girdling roots encircle the trunk and progressively constrict vascular tissue as both trunk and root grow, eventually causing decline or tree death.

What does 'CODIT' stand for in tree pathology?

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.

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

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.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks ash trees by:

Answer: Larvae tunneling beneath the bark and destroying the cambium and phloem

EAB larvae feed on phloem and cambium tissue just beneath the bark in S-shaped galleries, disrupting water and nutrient transport and killing the tree.

Proper staking of a newly planted tree should:

Answer: Allow some trunk movement while stabilizing the root ball only as long as needed

Trees need some trunk movement (wind sway) to develop taper and strength; stakes should stabilize the root ball and be removed within one growing season.