ISA Soil Management 2

Question 1

Which soil texture has the highest water-holding capacity?

Accepted Answer

Clay

Answer

Sandy loam

Answer

Silt loam

Answer

Sand

Question 2

What is the primary function of soil organic matter for tree health?

Accepted Answer

Improves nutrient retention and soil structure

Answer

Increases soil compaction

Answer

Raises soil pH

Answer

Reduces microbial activity

Question 3

Soil compaction most directly damages tree roots by:

Accepted Answer

Reducing macropore space and oxygen diffusion

Answer

Increasing nitrogen availability

Answer

Raising soil temperature

Answer

Decreasing water infiltration rate only

Question 4

Vertical mulching is used primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Introduce air and organic matter into compacted soil

Answer

Increase surface drainage

Answer

Raise the soil pH around tree roots

Answer

Prevent surface erosion

Question 5

Which nutrient is most commonly deficient in high-pH (alkaline) soils?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Potassium

Question 6

What does a cation exchange capacity (CEC) value primarily indicate?

Accepted Answer

The soil's ability to retain positively charged nutrients

Answer

The soil's ability to hold water

Answer

The rate of organic matter decomposition

Answer

The soil's buffering capacity against compaction

Question 7

Air spading around tree roots is most commonly performed to:

Accepted Answer

Diagnose root problems and remediate compacted soil without harming roots

Answer

Apply herbicides without root damage

Answer

Install deep root fertilization tubes

Answer

Grade soil slope away from the trunk