Landscape Design Landscape Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'integrated pest management' (IPM) in landscape maintenance?
- Using only chemical pesticides
- A systematic approach combining cultural, biological, and chemical controls to minimize pest damage with least environmental impact (Correct answer)
- Hiring a licensed pest control company
- Removing all plants that show pest damage
Correct answer: A systematic approach combining cultural, biological, and chemical controls to minimize pest damage with least environmental impact
IPM prioritizes prevention and least-toxic methods, reserving chemical controls as a last resort when thresholds are exceeded.
Question 2: What does 'topping' a tree refer to, and why is it considered poor arboricultural practice?
- Applying fertilizer to the canopy
- Indiscriminate cutting of main branches, which causes decay, weak regrowth, and structural failure (Correct answer)
- Removing the top 10% of a hedge
- Transplanting a tree by lifting it from the top
Correct answer: Indiscriminate cutting of main branches, which causes decay, weak regrowth, and structural failure
Topping creates large wounds that trees cannot properly close, leading to decay, pest infestation, and hazardous weak growth.
Question 3: Which weed control method is considered most effective for suppressing annual weeds in landscape beds?
- Post-emergent herbicide only
- Pre-emergent herbicide application before weed seeds germinate, combined with mulch (Correct answer)
- Hand-pulling after germination
- Mowing regularly
Correct answer: Pre-emergent herbicide application before weed seeds germinate, combined with mulch
Pre-emergent herbicides prevent annual weed seeds from germinating when applied at the correct time before germination.
Question 4: What is the purpose of 'winterizing' an irrigation system in freeze-prone US climates?
- To adjust seasonal run times
- To blow out all water from the system with compressed air to prevent pipe and component freeze damage (Correct answer)
- To replace worn sprinkler heads
- To update the controller schedule
Correct answer: To blow out all water from the system with compressed air to prevent pipe and component freeze damage
Blowout purges all water from pipes, heads, and valves so freezing temperatures cannot expand the water and crack components.
Question 5: What is 'fertilizer burn' and what causes it?
- Leaf discoloration from sun scorch
- Damage to plant tissue caused by applying too much fertilizer, which draws water out of roots through osmosis (Correct answer)
- Root damage from overly acidic soil
- Leaf scorch from sprinkler overspray
Correct answer: Damage to plant tissue caused by applying too much fertilizer, which draws water out of roots through osmosis
Excess fertilizer salts increase soil osmotic concentration, pulling water out of plant roots and causing wilting and tissue death.
Question 6: What is a 'maintenance specification' document in a landscape project?
- A list of plants used in the design
- A written standard describing how and when maintenance tasks should be performed on the completed landscape (Correct answer)
- A contract for landscape installation
- A record of irrigation system repairs
Correct answer: A written standard describing how and when maintenance tasks should be performed on the completed landscape
A maintenance specification provides detailed, measurable standards for mowing, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, and pest management.
Landscape Design Landscape Maintenance 2
What is 'integrated pest management' (IPM) in landscape maintenance?