Free Certified Arborist Diagnosis and Treatment Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The main purpose of wound dressing is:

To make the appearance better. (Correct answer)
To stop the infestation of insects.
To lessen decay.
To protect against disease.

Correct answer: To make the appearance better.

Scientific research has consistently shown that wound dressings do not effectively prevent decay, insect infestation, or disease in tree wounds. Their primary benefit, if any, is largely aesthetic, covering the wound and making it appear less conspicuous. In some cases, they can even hinder the tree's natural compartmentalization process, which is its own defense mechanism.

Question 2: Which condition listed below is an abiotic disorder?

Vascular wilt disease
Girdling roots (Correct answer)
Mites
Nematodes

Correct answer: Girdling roots

Abiotic disorders are caused by non-living factors, such as environmental conditions or cultural practices. Girdling roots are an abiotic disorder where roots grow around the trunk or other roots, constricting the flow of water and nutrients. In contrast, vascular wilt, mites, and nematodes are biotic disorders caused by living organisms.

Question 3: What is the primary objective of insect pest control in the Plant Health Care model?

Eradication
Augmentation
Mortality spiral
Suppression (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Suppression

In the Plant Health Care (PHC) model, the primary objective of insect pest control is suppression, not eradication. PHC aims to manage pest populations to acceptable levels that minimize damage while preserving beneficial insects and the overall ecosystem. Complete eradication is often impractical, environmentally harmful, and unnecessary for plant health.

Question 4: What term is used to describe insects that carry plant pathogens?

Galls
Herbivores
Vectors (Correct answer)
Nematodes

Correct answer: Vectors

Vectors are organisms, typically insects, that transmit plant pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi from one plant to another. For example, aphids can act as vectors for plant viruses, and certain bark beetles can vector fungi that cause diseases like Dutch elm disease, facilitating the spread of disease.

Question 5: What is the term for plant growth regulators that inhibit the action of cell-elongating hormones?

Sieve Tube Elements
Anti-Gibberellins (Correct answer)
Macronutrients
Photosynthates

Correct answer: Anti-Gibberellins

Anti-gibberellins are a class of plant growth regulators that inhibit the action of cell-elongating hormones called gibberellins. By doing so, they reduce shoot growth and often result in more compact plants. These regulators are used in arboriculture to manage tree size, reduce pruning needs, and improve overall plant form.

Question 6: Which of these DOES NOT typically make up a pest biological control strategy?

Parasites
Predators
Pathogens
Poison (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Poison

Biological control strategies involve using natural enemies to manage pest populations. This includes parasites (organisms that live on or in a host and harm it), predators (organisms that hunt and consume pests), and pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms that infect pests). Poisons, or chemical pesticides, are a chemical control method, not a biological one.

Question 7: What's the name for a large area of dead tissue on a leaf that has an irregular shape?

Gummosis
Dieback
Leaf blotch (Correct answer)
Scorch

Correct answer: Leaf blotch

Leaf blotch refers to a disease symptom characterized by large, irregular areas of dead tissue on a leaf. Unlike spots, which are typically smaller and more circular, blotches cover a broader, undefined area. This condition is often caused by fungal or bacterial pathogens.

Question 8: An irregular plant growth that is frequently found in the leaf tissue is also known as:

Scorch
Galls (Correct answer)
Blotch
Spot

Correct answer: Galls

Galls are abnormal, localized growths or swellings on plants, often found on leaves, stems, or roots. They are typically induced by insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria as a response to feeding or egg-laying. These growths can vary widely in size, shape, and color, and are a protective reaction by the plant.

Question 9: According to the integrated pest management system, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a pest?

Reduces the landscape's safety
Reduces the landscape's appearance
Competes healthy plants for resources
Needs intervention (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Needs intervention

In the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system, a pest is defined by its negative impact on a landscape, such as reducing its appearance, safety, or competing with desirable plants. The characteristic 'needs intervention' is not a defining feature of a pest itself, but rather a *decision* made by a manager based on the pest's impact and population levels. IPM aims to manage pests only when their populations reach a tolerable threshold, not simply because they exist.

Question 10: What establishes the kind of damage an insect causes to a tree?

The mouthparts of an insect (Correct answer)
The bark's thickness
The number of predators
The type of tree

Correct answer: The mouthparts of an insect

The type of damage an insect causes to a tree is primarily determined by its mouthparts. Chewing mouthparts, like those of caterpillars, create holes or consume entire leaves, while piercing-sucking mouthparts, found in aphids, cause distorted growth or discoloration by extracting sap. Boring insects, with their strong mandibles, tunnel into wood, creating distinct entry and exit holes and internal galleries.

Question 11: Frass, often found in trees, is a combination of insect waste and what other substance?

Pollen
Sap
Sawdust (Correct answer)
Soil

Correct answer: Sawdust

Frass is the excrement of insect larvae, particularly those that bore into wood. It is a combination of insect waste and chewed wood fragments, often resembling sawdust. The presence and appearance of frass can be a key indicator of boring insect activity in trees.

Free Certified Arborist Diagnosis and Treatment Questions and Answers

The main purpose of wound dressing is: