CPP Landscape Design & Installation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended minimum soil volume (cubic feet) for a medium-sized street tree to achieve adequate establishment?
- 50 cu ft
- 100 cu ft
- 600 cu ft (Correct answer)
- 1,200 cu ft
Correct answer: 600 cu ft
Research-based standards, including CU-Structural Soil guidelines, recommend approximately 600 cubic feet of adequate rooting volume for a medium street tree to thrive long-term.
Question 2: In a landscape bed installation, the proper method for placing mulch around the base of a newly planted tree is to:
- Pile mulch against the trunk in a volcano shape
- Spread mulch in a flat ring keeping it away from the trunk (Correct answer)
- Till mulch into the soil around the root zone
- Apply mulch only during winter months
Correct answer: Spread mulch in a flat ring keeping it away from the trunk
Mulch should be spread in a flat donut ring, 2–4 inches deep, keeping it 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and pest issues.
Question 3: Which design element refers to the transition from one area or plant grouping to another using plants of intermediate size or texture?
- Focalization
- Repetition
- Transition (Correct answer)
- Dominance
Correct answer: Transition
Transition is the gradual change in plant size, texture, or color that creates a smooth visual flow between different areas of the landscape.
Question 4: When designing for stormwater management, a bioswale is best described as:
- A raised planting bed filled with gravel
- A vegetated channel designed to slow and filter stormwater runoff (Correct answer)
- An underground cistern for water storage
- A drip irrigation system for slopes
Correct answer: A vegetated channel designed to slow and filter stormwater runoff
A bioswale is a vegetated, shallow channel that conveys, treats, and infiltrates stormwater runoff, reducing pollutant loads and peak flow rates.
Question 5: Which document in a landscape construction set typically includes plant quantities, sizes, and specifications for procurement?
- Grading plan
- Plant schedule (Correct answer)
- Irrigation layout
- Site analysis
Correct answer: Plant schedule
The plant schedule (or plant list) details the botanical name, common name, quantity, container size, and specification notes for all plants in the design.
Question 6: According to best practices, what is the appropriate depth for organic mulch in a landscape bed?
- Less than 1 inch
- 2–4 inches (Correct answer)
- 6–8 inches
- More than 10 inches
Correct answer: 2–4 inches
A 2–4 inch mulch layer suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, and moderates soil temperature without suffocating roots or creating anaerobic conditions.
Question 7: In landscape design, 'borrowed scenery' refers to:
- Plants taken from a neighboring property
- Reusing plant material from an existing landscape
- Incorporating views of features beyond the property boundary into the design (Correct answer)
- Referencing historical garden styles
Correct answer: Incorporating views of features beyond the property boundary into the design
Borrowed scenery is a design strategy where views of distant natural or built features are framed and incorporated to visually extend the landscape beyond property limits.
CPP Landscape Design & Installation 2
What is the recommended minimum soil volume (cubic feet) for a medium-sized street tree to achieve adequate establishment?