CLARB CLARB Planting Design and Horticulture Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map in landscape architectural practice?
- To determine which plants will survive winter temperatures in a given region (Correct answer)
- To identify soil pH requirements for specific plants
- To measure annual rainfall patterns
- To categorize plants by growth rate
Correct answer: To determine which plants will survive winter temperatures in a given region
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into zones based on average annual minimum winter temperatures to guide plant selection.
Question 2: Which plant growth habit describes a plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season?
- Perennial
- Biennial
- Annual (Correct answer)
- Deciduous
Correct answer: Annual
Annuals germinate, flower, set seed, and die within a single growing season, requiring replanting each year.
Question 3: In planting design, what does the term 'caliper' refer to when specifying nursery trees?
- The height of the tree from ground to crown tip
- The diameter of the trunk measured at a standard height (Correct answer)
- The spread of the tree canopy at maturity
- The diameter of the root ball
Correct answer: The diameter of the trunk measured at a standard height
Caliper is the standard nursery measurement of trunk diameter, typically taken at 6 inches above ground for trees up to 4-inch caliper.
Question 4: Which soil amendment is most effective at improving drainage in heavy clay soils for landscape planting?
- Agricultural lime
- Peat moss alone
- Coarse sand or perlite in large quantities (Correct answer)
- Fine compost alone
Correct answer: Coarse sand or perlite in large quantities
Coarse sand or perlite added in sufficient quantity to clay soils increases pore space and improves drainage by physically opening up the dense soil structure.
Question 5: What is the recommended minimum planting distance from building foundations for large shade trees to prevent root damage?
- 5 feet
- 10 feet
- 15 feet
- 20 feet or more (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 20 feet or more
Large shade trees should typically be planted at least 20 feet from building foundations to prevent structural damage from root growth and trunk expansion.
Question 6: What is the primary function of mycorrhizal fungi in landscape plant establishment?
- Protection of roots against insect pests
- Nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere
- Extending root surface area to improve nutrient and water uptake (Correct answer)
- Decomposition of surface organic matter
Correct answer: Extending root surface area to improve nutrient and water uptake
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, dramatically extending the root system's effective surface area to improve water and nutrient absorption.
CLARB CLARB Planting Design and Horticulture Questions and Answers 1
What is the primary purpose of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map in landscape architectural practice?