CATS Urban Tree Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a Level 1 tree risk assessment according to ISA standards?

Accepted Answer

A visual assessment from a limited perspective, typically walking or driving by, to identify obvious hazards

Answer

A Level 1 (Limited Visual) assessment is a walk-by or drive-by survey used to identify trees with obvious structural defects or conditions that pose immediate risk, often used after storms or for large populations of trees.

Question 2

Which of the following is a common indicator of internal wood decay in a standing tree?

Accepted Answer

Fruiting bodies (conks or mushrooms) growing on the trunk

Answer

Fungal fruiting bodies growing on a tree's trunk or root flare are a reliable external indicator of internal wood decay, as they are the reproductive structures of wood-decomposing fungi.

Question 3

What does the term 'target' refer to in tree risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A person, structure, or area that could be struck by a failing tree or branch

Answer

In risk assessment, the target is anything of value (people, property, vehicles, infrastructure) that would be affected if the tree or part of it were to fail. No target means no risk, regardless of the tree's condition.

Question 4

What is the recommended response when a certified arborist identifies a tree with a high risk of imminent failure near a public sidewalk?

Accepted Answer

Restrict access to the area immediately and schedule prompt mitigation (pruning or removal)

Answer

Imminent risk near high-use public areas requires immediate action to protect public safety, typically by restricting access and scheduling urgent mitigation work such as pruning hazardous limbs or removing the tree.

Question 5

What role does soil conditions play in tree stability assessment in the Albuquerque region?

Accepted Answer

Sandy and clay soils common in the area can affect root anchorage and increase windthrow risk

Answer

Albuquerque's diverse soil conditions, including sandy soils and expansive clays, directly impact root development and anchorage. Poor root anchorage in loose or saturated soils increases the risk of whole-tree failure during wind events.

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

CATS Urban Tree Risk Assessment & Mitigation