Arboriculture & Tree Care Flashcards
6 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Arboriculture & Tree Care flashcards as text
Which pruning cut removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or a larger branch?
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.
The 'branch collar' is important to preserve during pruning because it:
Answer: Contains specialized tissue that seals the wound and prevents decay
The branch collar contains wound-closing tissue (callus) and chemical barriers that compartmentalize decay; cutting flush into it removes these defenses.
Tree topping is considered poor arboricultural practice primarily because it:
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.
What is the recommended planting depth for a balled-and-burlapped tree?
Answer: Root flare at or slightly above grade
The root flare (where trunk transitions to roots) should be at or slightly above finished grade to prevent girdling, crown rot, and decline.
Which symptom is most characteristic of oak wilt disease?
Answer: Rapid wilting and bronzing of leaves starting at leaf tips, moving inward
Oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) causes rapid wilting and bronzing starting at leaf margins and tips, moving inward; red oaks can die within weeks of infection.
Mulching around trees provides all of the following benefits EXCEPT:
Answer: Increases soil compaction
Mulch moderates temperature, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds, but it does NOT increase compaction — it actually reduces compaction by protecting soil from foot traffic.