Landscape Maintenance Flashcards

What is 'integrated pest management' (IPM) in landscape maintenance?

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.

What does 'topping' a tree refer to, and why is it considered poor arboricultural practice?

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.

Which weed control method is considered most effective for suppressing annual weeds in landscape beds?

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.

What is the purpose of 'winterizing' an irrigation system in freeze-prone US climates?

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.

What is 'fertilizer burn' and what causes it?

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.

What is a 'maintenance specification' document in a landscape project?

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.