LARE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield LARE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which soil pH range is considered optimal for most landscape plants in the US? → 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
2. On a LARE exam question, which factor is MOST critical when selecting street trees for a narrow tree pit in an urban streetscape? → Tolerance of compacted, poorly drained soils and limited rooting volume
3. Which irrigation method is generally the most water-efficient for trees and shrubs in a landscape? → Subsurface drip irrigation
4. What one of the following is necessary for a contract to be enforceable? → There must be an exchange of a thing in return for a promise of another thing
5. Which planting zone specification best ensures plant survival when installing trees in urban heat islands? → Select plants rated one zone warmer than the site's USDA zone
6. What does a 'plant schedule' on construction documents typically include? → Botanical name, common name, size, quantity, and special conditions
7. What is the typical operating pressure range for standard pop-up spray heads? → 30–45 PSI
8. What is the correct sequence of components from the water meter to the irrigation zone valve in a properly designed system? → Meter → backflow preventer → master valve → filter → zone valve
9. Which of the following would be in a project handbook ALWAYS? Decide which options apply. → General Conditions
10. What is the primary significance of establishing the date of Substantial Completion for a construction project? → It is the date when the owner can occupy or utilize the work for its intended purpose.
11. On a LARE site section, which layer is typically shown as 'fill' and why must it be identified? → Previously placed non-native material that may be unstable or contaminated
12. Which of the following determines how much water the soil can store and is therefore the most crucial factor? → The kind of soil
13. Which federal environmental law requires site assessment for contamination when land use is changing from industrial to public recreational use? → Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
14. What is a 'climax community' in the context of landscape succession? → The stable, long-term plant community that develops after succession
15. Which backflow preventer assembly provides the highest level of protection and is required for high-hazard irrigation connections? → Reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ)
16. To reduce their visual impact from pathways or paths used for residential purposes, they have to be hidden by vegetation. → Parking lots and roadways
17. On a LARE grading question, what does a 'cut' condition refer to? → Areas where existing soil is removed to lower the grade to a design elevation
18. Which soil amendment is most commonly specified to lower the pH of alkaline soils for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries? → Elemental sulfur
19. In slope stability analysis, which factor MOST increases the risk of soil failure on a cut slope? → Seepage of water parallel to the slope face through a permeable layer
20. What soil property does a 'standard Proctor compaction test' measure, and how is it used in landscape construction? → Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content for compaction specifications
21. In a LARE planting plan, what does the symbol 'DBH' refer to? → Diameter at Breast Height — trunk diameter measured at 4.5 feet above grade
22. In landscape design, the principle of 'massing' is primarily used to achieve which of the following effects? → To define spatial volumes and create a sense of enclosure or openness.
23. According to USDA soil texture classification, which soil type has the highest percentage of sand particles? → Sandy loam
24. Which of the following is utilized for a small modification to the contract's conditions? → Field order
25. What is the primary purpose of a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) in a landscape irrigation system? → To prevent backflow contamination of the potable water supply
26. When writing construction documentation and specifications, which of the following procedures is NOT recommended? Pick all of them that apply. → Specifications should be duplicated throughout the contract documents
27. Which irrigation head type is most appropriate for large, open turf areas? → Rotor heads
28. The circulation of users is secure and effective. Transit, parking, and site circulation. Function, accessibility, and safety. → Circulation overview
29. In planting design specifications, what does 'bare root' refer to as a method of plant installation? → Trees or shrubs sold and planted with no soil around their roots, typically dormant
30. Which soil amendment most effectively improves water retention in sandy soils? → Organic compost