Free Certified Arborist Installation and Establishment Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following describes a benefit of the trees that nurseries sell as bare roots?
- They are not big.
- It is simple to transplant them.
- They are not too expensive.
- Bare-root trees have all of these advantages. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Bare-root trees have all of these advantages.
Bare-root trees offer several advantages for planting. They are typically smaller and lighter, making them easier to transport and handle. Their exposed root systems allow for thorough inspection and correction of circling roots before planting, and they are generally less expensive than balled and burlapped or containerized stock.
Question 2: How do you begin training a young tree?
- By the selection of scaffold branches.
- By deciding on the ideal structure.
- By cutting off any damaged or dead branches. (Correct answer)
- By finding the lowest permanent branch.
Correct answer: By cutting off any damaged or dead branches.
The initial step in training a young tree should always be to remove any damaged, dead, or diseased branches. This foundational pruning helps the tree direct its energy towards healthy growth, prevents the spread of disease, and establishes a strong, sound structure from the outset. Once this is done, decisions about scaffold branches and overall structure can follow.
Question 3: What is the term used to describe groups of different plants that require approximately the same amount of water?
- Drought Zones
- Aquasets
- Xeriscapes
- Hydrozones (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hydrozones
Hydrozones are groups of plants with similar water requirements that are planted together. This practice is a key component of xeriscaping, or water-efficient landscaping, as it allows for more precise and efficient irrigation. By grouping plants with similar needs, water can be applied effectively without over- or under-watering different species.
Question 4: For recently planted trees, what kind of fertilizer is recommended?
- Liquid fertilizer
- Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (Correct answer)
- Complete fertilizer
- Injection fertilizer
Correct answer: Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer
For recently planted trees, a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is generally recommended. This type of fertilizer provides nutrients gradually over time, supporting steady root establishment and moderate shoot growth without causing a sudden flush of tender new growth that can be susceptible to stress. Excessive quick-release nitrogen can burn new roots or promote too much top growth before roots are established.
Question 5: Why is it not a good idea to use gravel to fill the bottom of the hole when planting a large tree?
- There’s a possibility that the soil can get overly saturated. (Correct answer)
- There's a good chance that soil will fall into the gravel and damage the tree trunk.
- Beneficial soil organisms cannot live in gravel.
- Hazardous chemicals can seep into the soil through gravel.
Correct answer: There’s a possibility that the soil can get overly saturated.
Using gravel at the bottom of a planting hole is not recommended because it can create a 'perched water table' effect. Instead of improving drainage, the gravel layer can actually impede water movement from the finer-textured soil above it, leading to water accumulation and saturation in the root zone, which can suffocate roots. Water will only drain from the soil into the gravel once the soil above is completely saturated.
Question 6: Which kind of nursery stock is less likely to have roots girdle when planted?
- Container grown
- Containerized
- Bare root (Correct answer)
- Balled and burlapped
Correct answer: Bare root
Bare-root nursery stock is less likely to develop girdling roots when planted because the roots are exposed and visible. This allows the planter to easily inspect the root system, untangle any circling roots, and spread them out properly before backfilling. In contrast, container-grown or balled and burlapped trees often have roots that have already begun to circle within their confined spaces.
Question 7: Which kind of nursery stock has up to ninety percent of its roots cut for absorption before it is sold?
- Balled and burlapped (Correct answer)
- Container grown
- Containerized
- Bare root
Correct answer: Balled and burlapped
Balled and burlapped (B&B) nursery stock involves digging up a tree with a ball of soil around its roots, which is then wrapped in burlap. This process typically severs a significant portion of the tree's root system, often up to ninety percent of its absorbing roots. This extensive root loss makes B&B trees more susceptible to transplant shock and requires careful post-planting care.
Question 8: What is the name of the process that quickly transitions bare-root nursery stock from dormancy to growth?
- Hardening
- Springing
- Sweating (Correct answer)
- Heating
Correct answer: Sweating
Sweating is a technique used to quickly transition bare-root nursery stock from dormancy to active growth. It involves placing the dormant plants in a warm, humid environment, often covered with plastic, to encourage bud break and root development. This process helps to reduce transplant shock and promote successful establishment once planted.
Question 9: What does integrated pest management aim to achieve?
- For promoting the population of insects.
- For maintaining pest damage at a tolerable level. (Correct answer)
- For introducing species that prey on pests.
- To get rid of pests.
Correct answer: For maintaining pest damage at a tolerable level.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach that aims to maintain pest damage at an economically or aesthetically tolerable level, rather than attempting complete eradication. IPM utilizes a combination of strategies, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, to manage pest populations while minimizing risks to human health and the environment. The goal is sustainable pest control, not elimination.
Question 10: What is the term for the temporary storage of carbon dioxide in the wood and other tissues of a tree?
- Carbon Collection
- Carbon Retention
- Carbon Stabilization
- Carbon Sequestration (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in a long-term reservoir. In the context of trees, this refers to their ability to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and store it in their wood, leaves, and roots. This temporary storage helps mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon levels.
Question 11: Which root part is growing in the most aggressive way?
- The surface-level roots (Correct answer)
- The root crown
- The sinker roots
- The lateral roots that are buried deep beneath the surface.
Correct answer: The surface-level roots
Surface-level roots, often called feeder roots, are typically the most aggressive in their growth patterns. They spread extensively in the upper soil layers to efficiently absorb water and nutrients, which are most concentrated near the surface. These roots are vital for the tree's immediate resource uptake and can extend far beyond the tree's canopy.
Free Certified Arborist Installation and Establishment Questions and Answers 1
Which of the following describes a benefit of the trees that nurseries sell as bare roots?