Louisiana Arborist Exam

What is chlorosis in a tree and how is it treated?

The yellowing of leaves can be treated with Manganese.

Why is it recommended to use a block when lowering a heavy limb?

To carry the load and reduce injury to a crotch from a climber's line.

What are the benefits of mulching a young tree?

To conserve moisture, reduce competition from weeds and grass, improve soil structure, and aesthetic value.

When can spurs be used to climb trees?

To perform a rescue, to remove the tree, or with written permission from the owner.

What is the purpose of dead wooding?

To remove dead, diseased, or dying limbs. This increases air circulation and improves beauty.

What other activities can a climbing rope be used for?

To secure a climber to the tree for use of 2-hands, to swing, and for rescue.

What is the orientation of growth in response to an external stimulus called?

Tropism

Construction fences should be placed as far from the trunk as possible.

True

Explain CODIT.

When a tree is wounded, cells undergo changes to form "walls" around the wound, slowing or preventing the spread of disease and decay to the rest of the tree.

What transports water and dissolved essential minerals within a tree?

Xylem

In the cross-section of a tree trunk, what tissues are present and what are the functions of each?

Xylem (wood cells)- conveys water and dissolved minerals throughout the tree and provides support. Phloem (bast tissues)- transports the soluble organic compounds made during photosynthesis, in particular the sugar sucrose, to the rest of the tree. It is the inner-most layer of bark. Cambrium - the layer of plant tissue, between the Xylem and Phloem, responsible for the secondary growth of roots and stems by producing new xylem and phloem cells.

Is a contract required between an LA licensed arborist before tree work is performed?

Yes

Besides primary, what are the meristems located at the end of the shoots called?

apical

What is the tendency for terminal buds to inhibit the growth of lateral buds called?

apical dominance

The green color in leaves is created by the presence of what, which is necessary for photosynthesis to take place?

chlorophyll

What are the "food factories" of trees?

leaves

What are products of photosynthesis?

oxygen and sugars

What is the process that combines carbon dioxide and water in a reaction driven by light to produce sugars?

photosynthesis

What are 2 examples of tropism?

phototropism and geotropism

The opening and closing of what in leaves allows for gas exchange and transpiration?

stomata

What is a branch collar?

the area where a limb or branch joins the trunk and xylem tissues are interwoven.

What is the loss of water vapor from leaves called?

transpiration

What type and how much insurance is an arborist required to have?

$25,000 - personal injury; $50,000 property damage.

Mycorrhizae are: a) collar-rot fungi. b) elongated underground stems producing sucker sprouts. c) a symbiotic relationship between fungi and roots. d) cells in which photosynthesis takes place.

C

What is the layer of meristematic cells located between the phloem and the xylem?

Cambium

Which layer of cells is responsible for outward trunk growth and increased girth of a tree?

Cambium

Term - green pigment.

Chlorophyll

What is the most serious damage to a tree caused by construction?

Compaction.

What does CODIT stand for?

Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees

List five species of trees to plant under a power line.

Crape myrtle, chaste tree, red bud, silver bell, dogwood.

Distinguish between narrow and wide crotch angles. Could either harm the tree?

Crotch angles are where branches fork, or where a main limb joins the trunk. Narrow Crotch angles (Tight) are where the angle between two branches is too narrow (less than 45 degrees). they can lead to structure weaknesses and tree failure Wide Crotch angles (Strong) are where the angle between the two branches 45 degrees or more.

Term - waxy covering of a leaf.

Cuticle

The growth ring of many trees, a) are visible because of rapid growth of earlywood relative to latewood. b) can be counted to approximate a tree's age. c) can give information about growing conditions in previous years. d) all of the above.

D

What are trees that lose their leaves in autumn called?

Deciduous

What type of trees lose their leaves?

Deciduous

What are the growth habits called for more rounded trees, which are often broader than they are tall?

Decurrent growth habits

Name or describe 3 cabling techniques.

Direct, triangular, and box or rotary.

What are trees that maintain their leaves for more than one year called?

Evergreen

What is the term for trees with upright growth and a strong, central leader called?

Excurrent growth

Fertilizer is always recommended at the time of planting.

False

Short, shallow, and frequent irrigation is better than long, deep, infrequent irrigation?

False

Name the common causes of plant disease.

Fungus and bacteria.

Name the two parts of a scientific name.

Genus and species.

What controls stomata?

Guard Cells, which regulate the intake of CO2 and the release of water vapor.

What is the purpose of crown restoration?

Improves structure and appearance of improperly pruned or storm-damaged trees by encouraging new growth.

List 3 ways cavities are started in trees.

Insects, lightning, and wounds.

Term - between the nodes of a twig.

Internode

Why is the use of spurs prohibited on living trees?

It causes wounds and damages the tree.

How will pruning a tree at time of transplanting affect tree growth?

It decreases root growth. You should avoid pruning except for broken or damaged limbs.

Explain thinning cut and describe how they will affect the tree.

It is removing the branch back to the lateral branch, large enough to assume terminal role. It opens the tree, reduces weight, reduces height, and retains its shape.

What is the major objective in crown cleaning?

It removes dead, diseased, and dying crowded or wealdy attached limbs from the crown. the objective is to correct small growth problems before they get big growth problems.

List the levels of plant classification.

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Specific Epithet (KPCOFGS)

List the major parts of a tree and their function.

Leaves - photosynthesis, transpiration. Trunk/Stems - conduct, support, storage. Roots - anchorage, absorbing, storage, conduction. Flowers - reproduction. Fruit-ripened seed, pistil

Term - small opening in stems for gas exchange.

Lenticel

List the benefits of mulch.

Maintain moisture, control weeds, insulation, aeration, aesthetic value, and reduce soil pathogens.

Sites of rapid cell division in the root tips, and cambiums are called?

Meristems

What is Mistletoe and is it harmful to a tree?

Mistletoe is a parasite that grows in the branches of conifers and leeches nutrients away.

What do roots and fungi form, which are a symbiotic relationship, aiding in the uptake of water and minerals?

Mycorrhizae

Are the use of wound dressings beneficial?

No

Are there advantages of pruning a tree at planting time?

No

Are wound dressings or paint recommended after making pruning cuts? Why?

No, studies show it does no good.

What is the process by which water enters young roots or mycorrhizal roots?

Osmosis

Where along the branch, should a pruning cut be made?

Outside of the branch collar.

When removing a dead limb over 2 in. in diameter, where is the removal cut made?

Outside of the collar or around the dead branch stub if it contains live trunk wood.

Term - "stalk" of a leaf.

Petiole

What conducts carbohydrates within a tree?

Phloem

Describe how to cut down a large limb.

Place the rigging point above the work, tie the limb at the butt, then cut and lower the limb to the ground.

Describe Xylem and Phloem, and their function.

Plants have tissues to transport water, nutrients and minerals. Xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots up to other parts of the plant. Phloem transports sucrose and amino acids from the leaves and other parts of the plant.

Name the spaces between soil particles.

Pore spaces, micropores (water), macropores (oxygen).

Term - cells that cross the phloem and xylem for a radial transport.

Ray

What is the process called by which chemical energy, stored as sugar and water, is released?

Respiration

List the most important pieces of safety equipment when using a chainsaw.

Safety glasses, earplugs, face shield, hard hat, leg protection, and boots.

What is ANSI 2-133.1?

Safety standards for tree care operations.

Term - uses more energy than it produces.

Sink

What should you know about a tree before you plant or recommend it to a customer?

Size limits, growth rate, hardiness, form, soil pH, adaptability, disease/insect resistance.

Term - mature, green leaves - sugar producers.

Source

Is Spanish Moss harmful to a tree?

Spanish Moss absorbs water and nutrients, using other plants for support.

What state and federal licenses are required before an arborist applies pesticides?

State commissioned pesticide applicators license. Federal in accordance with all federal regulations, may apply pesticides for the purpose of retarding decay or disease.

What is the classification of plants called?

Taxonomy

What is the most critical time after transplanting a tree and why?

The 1st year to focus on root establishment.

What is soil pH and does it affect nutrient availability of a tree?

The acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Trees may exhibit nutrient deficiency or toxicity symptoms from unbalanced soil pH levels.

What is formed as the branch and trunk tissues expand against each other in the branch union?

Branch Bark Ridge

What is formed when truck tissue grows around branch tissue?

Branch Collar

Name five methods used to apply fertilization to trees.

Broadcasting, drill hole, injection, foliar application, and implants

If you want to fertilize a tree by broadcasting 4 lbs. of actual nitrogen and want to use 16-4-8 fertilizer, how often would you apply it over 1000 sq. ft. in one year?

1 lb. of Nitrogen / .16 (N in fertilizer) = 6.25 lbs per 1,000 ft. 6.25 lbs of Fertilizer x 4 lbs of N = 25 lbs of Fertilizer annually. 6.25 lbs. of 16-4-8 fertilizer should be applied 4 times a year.

What circumstances warrant lightning protection for a tree?

1) Historical trees. 2) Expensive trees. 3) Trees people will seek shelter under.

What are some problems associated with topping or heading back a tree?

1) Removes much of the leaf surface area needed to produce food and the food storage reserves. 2) Leaves large wounds that are slow to heal and becomes entry points for insects and disease organisms. 3) Allows strong sunlight to enter the central parts of the tree, resulting in sunscald, cracks and peeling bark.

List 3 benefits of mulch.

1) Retains moisture. 2) Reduces weeds. 3) Insulates roots.

Discuss Shingo's theory of walling off infections in trees called CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees).

1) Trees are highly compartmentalized. 2) If the tree is wounded, it will heal itself by walling itself off from injury.

What is the minimum diameter for a climbing rope?

1/2" diameter.

Using 2 lbs. of actual N per 1,000 sq. ft. with a 13-13-13 fertilizer, how much would you need to cover 2,000 sq. ft.?

2 lbs of N / .13 (Fertilizer = 15.4 lbs. of fertilizer 15.4 * 2 = 30.8 lbs. of fertilizer

If the terminal bud is removed in pruning, a) growth may be stimulated in lateral buds. b) flowering is stimulated to enhance fruit production. c) the branch will die off. d) all of the above.

A

Discuss the differences between "flush cuts" and proper cuts made to outer portions of branch collar. How do "flush cuts" affect growth?

A proper cut leaves the branch bark ridge, branch collar, and swollen collar in tact. It enables the cut to close in a circular fashion. Flush cuts remove it and opens the tree to decay by removing dead wood which branch defense zones form.

What is the definition of a tree?

A woody perennial with one or several trunks which grow higher than 12-15 ft in height.

Term - mostly located in the upper 12 inches (30 cm) of soil.

Absorbing Roots

Name the functions of the root system.

Absorption Conduction Anchorage Storage Hormone Production

What are vascular plants whose seeds are covered (by an ovary) called?

Angiosperms

What protects the branch and trunk of a tree from mechanical injury and desiccation?

Bark

When cutting through a tree with a chain saw or drilling into a tree, what order would you pass through the following: xylem, bark, phloem, cambium?

Bark, Phloem, Cambium, Xylem

List 3 natural, organic fertilizers.

Bone and blood meal, manure, and sewer sludge.