Horticulture Exam 3 Review

Define Naturalized Plants

A non-native plant that does not need human help to reproduce and maintain itself over time in an area where it is not native. Note: Even though their offspring reproduce and spread naturally (without human help), naturalized plants do not, over time, become native members of the local plant community. Many naturalized plants are found primarily near human-dominated areas; and, sometimes, naturalized is used (confusingly) to refer specifically to naturally reproducing, non-native plants that do not invade areas dominated by native vegetation. However, since invasive plants also reproduce and spread without human help, they also are naturalized- invasives are a small, but troublesome, sub-category of naturalized plants.

Define Non-Native Plants

A plant introduced with human help (intentionally or accidentally) to a new place or new type of habitat where it was not previously found. Note: Not all non-native plants are invasive. In fact, when many non-native plants are introduced to new places, they cannot reproduce or spread readily without continued human help (for example, many ornamental plants).

Define Native Plants

A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem. Note: The word native should always be used with a geographic qualifier (that is, native to New England [for example]). Only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered to be native to the United States.

Define Invasive Plants

A plant that is both non-native and able to establish on many sites, grow quickly, and spread to the point of disrupting plant communities or ecosystems.

What is a sustainable (landscape) site?

A sustainable site links natural and built systems to achieve balanced environmental, social, and economic outcomes and improves quality of life and the long-term health of communities and the environment. Sustainable landscapes balance the needs of people and the environment and benefit both.

Is painting a wound on a tree necessary?

Painting tree wounds is not necessary.

What is potable vs non potable water?

Potable water is water of a quality suitable for drinking, cooking and personal bathing. Non-potable water is water that is not of drinking quality, but may still be used for many other purposes, depending on its quality.

How is Arboriculture defined?

The study of trees, their growth, and culture.

Why do you need a first flush on a water catchment system?

Used to catch the accumulated debris from the catchment area before rainwater is allowed to enter the storage tank. First flush diverters should remove approximately 10 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet of catchment area.

What are the benefits of using rainwater vs. ground or municipal water?

You can offset your use of limited groundwater or municipal water supplies. Rainwater is valued for its purity and softness. -Near neutral pH -Low in minerals, salts and chlorine -Can have added nitrogen Better manage stormwater runoff.

Lion's Tailing

Lion's Tailing is when all the interior branches are pruned off the limbs leaving only the terminal leaves.

Tree Topping

Occurs when the terminal bud and upper primary limbs (scaffold branches) on mature trees are cut back to stubs at uniform height.

What are the 8 reasons why native plants might promote the sustainability of a landscape?

-Adapted to local climate -Require less watering and maintenance -Provide habitat for wildlife -No need to fertilize -More resistant to disease and pests -Re-creation of native habitat and ecosystems that are diminishing -Non-invasive -Culturally/locally appropriate; sets a city apart

Know the above ground parts of a tree

-Crown or canopy -Terminal or Central leader -Scaffold branches -Trunk -Suckers or water sprouts

What are the 3'D of Pruning Trees?

-Dead: Dead tissue is a part of a plant in which all the cells have died and will never come back to life again. "Dead" is not dormant: in winter, all the wood on a tree might look dead, but in a healthy tree most of it is actually in a hibernation-like protective state called dormancy. -Damaged Wood: Damaged tissue is synonymous with partially dead tissue. The entire branch or limb is not dead; in fact, the whole thing may still be fully leafy and otherwise functioning as a live unit. The trouble is that, internally or externally, there has been damage to the plant that will cause weakness and trouble down the road. -Diseased: Disease comes to plants in many forms, living attackers such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. You can also think of infestations by insects as "disease" in that they begin in one part of the plant and spread throughout, harming it as they reproduce.

What characteristics should a growing media have?

-Have good moisture and nutrient holding capacity -Be easily wetted -Decompose slowly -Be free of toxins -Have proper pH -Provide good support

What are the primary macronutrients? What are the symptoms of deficiency for each?

-N: nitrogen Deficiency symptoms-begin on the older leaves located at the lower portion of the plant and then progressively spreads. -Stunted growth -Yellowing of leaves -P: phosphorus Deficiency symptoms-moves from older to younger leaves. -Dark green leaves with a purplish color on the underside -Stunted plants -K: potassium Deficiency symptoms-begins in older leaves and moves to younger leaves. -Marginal burning of leaves, speckled leaves -Leaf curling

What is rainwater typically used for?

-Outdoor irrigation -Livestock -Wildlife "guzzlers" -Farm use: cleaning equipment and mixing with fertilizers/pesticides -Fire protection -Manufacturing -Indoor use ◦ Non-potable: Flushing toilets ◦ Potable: Extensive treatment needed

What are the components of a growing media? Know the job of each component.

-Peat Moss -Wood byproducts -Bark -Sand -Perlite (heat-treated lava rock) -Vermiculite (heat-treated mica) -Fertilizer

When is the best time to prune a tree?

In the winter while the tree is dormant.

List the goals of pruning.

-Trim plants to maintain their natural beauty -Trim plants to maintain a desired effect -Eliminate dangerous branches -Enhance overall plant health -Enhance flower and fruit production

What practices promote a sustainable landscape?

-Water conservation (xeriscapes, rain gardens, grouping plants with similar water needs) -Control water runoff (bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs) -Match the plant to the conditions -Use native plants -Plant nitrogen-fixing plants to reduce fertilizer use -Create natural looking designs to reduce maintenance needs -Create wildlife habitat

What are the 4 components of an active rainwater catchment system? Know a few examples of each.

1. Catchment area -Roof, Diverting water from parking lots 2. Conveyance System -Gutters, Downspouts 3. Storage -Tanks, Reservoirs 4. Outlet -Pump, Tap

Draw and label the 3 steps the pruning process.

1. Undercut 2. Second Cut 3. Final Cut

Define bioswales

Bioswales achieve the same goals as rain gardens by slowing and filtering stormwater, but are designed to manage a specified amount of runoff from a large impervious area, such as a parking lot or roadway. Because they need to accommodate greater quantities of stormwater, they often require use of engineered soils and are deeper than rain gardens. They are also linear systems that are greater in length than width. Like rain gardens, they are vegetated with plants that can withstand both heavy watering and drought.

Figure how much rain water can be harvested after a rain event given the size to the collection area and the amount of rain.

Catchment Area (ft^2) x Rainfall Depth (in) x 0.623 (conversation factor) 0.623 is how many gallons of water it takes to cover one square foot of space in one inch of water EX. 2000 ft^2 x 1 inch x 0.623 = 2,492,000 gal

Define rain gardens

Rain gardens are smaller or residential systems. These gardens have a slight depression to help collect water and are vegetated with plants that can withstand moisture regimes ranging from flooded to dry. The existing soil is often used in rain gardens if it provides adequate water infiltration rates, although native soils can also be amended with some sand or compost if needed.

What is a dead zone when pruning shrubs?

Realize that the green portion of an evergreen shrub is only the outer 6-or-so inches.

Three basic types of pruning: Renewal Pruning

Rejuvenates old plants by removing old unproductive branches, thereby promoting vigorous growth. This is commonly used in flowering shrubs that have stopped flowering and fruit trees that have been neglected.

Three basic types of pruning: Thinning Out

Removal of excess vegetative growth to open the plant canopy and reduce the number of fruiting branches with the goal of promoting larger and overall better-quality fruit.

Three basic types of pruning: Heading Back

Removal of the tips of terminal branches to promote secondary branching.