arborist practice test UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
The ideal soil ratio for solids to pore space is: (A) 20:80 (B) 35:65 (C) 40:60 (D) 50:50 -
CORRECT ANSWER - (D) 50:50
What is the correct scientific name for the oak tree genus? (A) Quercus (B) Pyrus (C) Larix (D)
Acer - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Quercus
Which of the following is not one of the five major categories of soil horizons? (A) O (B) E (C)
N (D) B - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) N
Loam is least composed of what soil classification? (A) Sand (B) Silt (C) Clay (D) Loam is
composed of all soils evenly - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Clay
What is the difference in magnitude of acidity between a PH level reading of 4 vs. a PH reading
of 7? - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) 1000
What is not a detrimental impact on tree growth from compaction? (A) Restricted root growth
(B) Reduction of water availability (C) Increasing organic material (D) Restricting air movement
- CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Increasing organic material
Field capacity is achieved after the draining of which of the following? (A) Gravitational water
(B) Capillary water (C) Micropore water (D) Compacted drainage - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Gravitational water
What best defines the permanent wilting point soil moisture condition? (A) Water is present in
macro and micropores (B) The condition present immediately after the removal of gravitational
water (C) Water is held by soil but unavailable to plants such that they can't recover (D) No
water present in soi - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Water is held by soil but unavailable to
plants such that they can't recover
,What soil below most likely has the lowest infiltration rate? (A) Loose sand (B) Compacted sand
(C) Loose clay (D) Compacted clay - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Compacted clay
What major soil horizon category is not included in the zone designated as topsoil? (A) A (B) O
(C) E (D) C - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) C
What soil type is most easily compacted? (A) Sand (B) Clay (C) Silt (D) Bedrock - CORRECT
ANSWER - (B) Clay
What is not a tree characteristic which helps to prevent the loss of water? (A) Increased leaf
surface area (B) Deep root systems (C) Leaf hairs (D) Waxy outer leaf layer - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Increased leaf surface area
What irrigation system type provides water slowly to specific areas of the tree root zone? (A)
Drip irrigation (B) High-pressure injection (C) Basin irrigation (D) Soaker hose - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Drip irrigation
Trees help to control stormwater runoff by all of the following means except: (A) Trees hold
water on bark and leaves (B) Roots intercept and retain runoff (C) Fallen leaves create a layer of
absorption on the ground (D) All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) All of the
above
What is not an advantage of the use of mulching? (A) Improve infiltration (B) Promote deep root
system (C) Reduce soil evaporation (D) Limit weed competition - CORRECT ANSWER -
(B) Promote deep root system
What is the minimum slope for drainage pipes placed above an impervious layer? (A) 1/16" per
ft (B) 1/8" per ft (C) 1/4" per ft (D) 1/2" per ft - CORRECT ANSWER - C) 1/4" per ft
The main function of a rain garden is which of the following? (A) Collect and hold stormwater
runoff (B) Increase water infiltration (C) Distribute runoff to dry areas (D) Facilitate deep root
systems - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Increase water infiltration
,What macronutrient most often has the largest requirement for the health of trees? (A) Iron (B)
Sulfur (C) Potassium (D) Nitrogen - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Nitrogen
What essential element is more readily available in an acidic environment than alkaline? (A) Iron
(B) Calcium (C) Sulfur (D) Potassium - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Iron
Nitrogen is present in soil mostly due to which of the following? (A) Water (B) Organic matter
(C) Clay (D) Sand - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Organic matter
A 25-lb bag of fertilizer has a 10-6-4 analysis. How many pounds of potassium are in the bag?
(A) 1 (B) 2.5 (C) 4 (D) 8 - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) 1
Required fertilizer distribution rates for quick release are ______________ than for that of slow-
release. (A) Greater (B) Less (C) Equal (D) No relationship - CORRECT ANSWER - (A)
Greater
What project factor listed below has a detrimental effect on the surface application of fertilizer?
(A) Constrained time (B) Inexperienced workers (C) Surface runoff (D) Shallow root structure -
CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Surface runoff
What element can be classified as a micronutrient? (A) Magnesium (B) Calcium (C) Iron (D)
Sulfur - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Iron
What method of fertilizer application may result in the development of thick patches of grass in
spots surrounding the tree? (A) Liquid injection (B) Surface application (C) Foliar application
(D) Implants - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Surface application
What characteristic is used to differentiate between vascular plant classifications? (A) Roots (B)
Leaves (C) Seeds (D) Skin - CORRECT ANSWER - C) Seeds
Of the options listed below which has the broadest level of taxonomic hierarchy? (A) Genus (B)
Order (C) Class (D) Family - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Class
, What characteristic below is used to differentiate between a simple leaf and a compound leaf?
(A) Number of buds (B) Length of petiole (C) Shape of leaflet (D) Number of leaflets -
CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Number of leaflets
What major group of conifers is defined by needles borne in clusters? (A) Pine (B) Spruce (C)
Fir (D) Juniper - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Pine
What leaf margin type is characterized by having a smooth edge? (A) Entire (B) Serrate (C)
Serrulate (D) Dentate - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Entire
What characteristic below is associated with dicots rather than monocots? (A) Parallel leaf veins
(B) Floral parts usually in multiples of four or five (C) Fibrous root system (D) One cotyledon -
CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Floral parts usually in multiples of four or five
A tree is to be planted close to a newly built retaining wall for beautification. What habit is most
likely appropriate for the selection of the tree. (A) Pyramidal (B) Upright (C) Weeping (D)
Spread - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Upright
Hardiness refers to a plant's ability to survive which of the following? (A) Drought (B) Low
temperatures (C) Impact (D) Shade - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Low temperatures
What tree can be identified as having palmately compound leaves? (A) Buckeye (B) Ash (C)
Ailanthus (D) Walnut - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Buckeye
What statement is true below regarding deciduous trees? (A) Allows light in the summer and
allows light in the winter (B) Allows light in the summer and blocks light in the winter (C)
Blocks light in the summer and allows light in the winter (D) Blocks light in the summer and
blocks light in the winter - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Blocks light in the summer and
allows light in the winter
What USDA hardiness zone has an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -60 to -50
degrees Fahrenheit? (A) 1 (B) 5 (C) 9 (D) 13 - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) 1
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
The ideal soil ratio for solids to pore space is: (A) 20:80 (B) 35:65 (C) 40:60 (D) 50:50 -
CORRECT ANSWER - (D) 50:50
What is the correct scientific name for the oak tree genus? (A) Quercus (B) Pyrus (C) Larix (D)
Acer - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Quercus
Which of the following is not one of the five major categories of soil horizons? (A) O (B) E (C)
N (D) B - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) N
Loam is least composed of what soil classification? (A) Sand (B) Silt (C) Clay (D) Loam is
composed of all soils evenly - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Clay
What is the difference in magnitude of acidity between a PH level reading of 4 vs. a PH reading
of 7? - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) 1000
What is not a detrimental impact on tree growth from compaction? (A) Restricted root growth
(B) Reduction of water availability (C) Increasing organic material (D) Restricting air movement
- CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Increasing organic material
Field capacity is achieved after the draining of which of the following? (A) Gravitational water
(B) Capillary water (C) Micropore water (D) Compacted drainage - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Gravitational water
What best defines the permanent wilting point soil moisture condition? (A) Water is present in
macro and micropores (B) The condition present immediately after the removal of gravitational
water (C) Water is held by soil but unavailable to plants such that they can't recover (D) No
water present in soi - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Water is held by soil but unavailable to
plants such that they can't recover
,What soil below most likely has the lowest infiltration rate? (A) Loose sand (B) Compacted sand
(C) Loose clay (D) Compacted clay - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Compacted clay
What major soil horizon category is not included in the zone designated as topsoil? (A) A (B) O
(C) E (D) C - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) C
What soil type is most easily compacted? (A) Sand (B) Clay (C) Silt (D) Bedrock - CORRECT
ANSWER - (B) Clay
What is not a tree characteristic which helps to prevent the loss of water? (A) Increased leaf
surface area (B) Deep root systems (C) Leaf hairs (D) Waxy outer leaf layer - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Increased leaf surface area
What irrigation system type provides water slowly to specific areas of the tree root zone? (A)
Drip irrigation (B) High-pressure injection (C) Basin irrigation (D) Soaker hose - CORRECT
ANSWER - (A) Drip irrigation
Trees help to control stormwater runoff by all of the following means except: (A) Trees hold
water on bark and leaves (B) Roots intercept and retain runoff (C) Fallen leaves create a layer of
absorption on the ground (D) All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) All of the
above
What is not an advantage of the use of mulching? (A) Improve infiltration (B) Promote deep root
system (C) Reduce soil evaporation (D) Limit weed competition - CORRECT ANSWER -
(B) Promote deep root system
What is the minimum slope for drainage pipes placed above an impervious layer? (A) 1/16" per
ft (B) 1/8" per ft (C) 1/4" per ft (D) 1/2" per ft - CORRECT ANSWER - C) 1/4" per ft
The main function of a rain garden is which of the following? (A) Collect and hold stormwater
runoff (B) Increase water infiltration (C) Distribute runoff to dry areas (D) Facilitate deep root
systems - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Increase water infiltration
,What macronutrient most often has the largest requirement for the health of trees? (A) Iron (B)
Sulfur (C) Potassium (D) Nitrogen - CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Nitrogen
What essential element is more readily available in an acidic environment than alkaline? (A) Iron
(B) Calcium (C) Sulfur (D) Potassium - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Iron
Nitrogen is present in soil mostly due to which of the following? (A) Water (B) Organic matter
(C) Clay (D) Sand - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Organic matter
A 25-lb bag of fertilizer has a 10-6-4 analysis. How many pounds of potassium are in the bag?
(A) 1 (B) 2.5 (C) 4 (D) 8 - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) 1
Required fertilizer distribution rates for quick release are ______________ than for that of slow-
release. (A) Greater (B) Less (C) Equal (D) No relationship - CORRECT ANSWER - (A)
Greater
What project factor listed below has a detrimental effect on the surface application of fertilizer?
(A) Constrained time (B) Inexperienced workers (C) Surface runoff (D) Shallow root structure -
CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Surface runoff
What element can be classified as a micronutrient? (A) Magnesium (B) Calcium (C) Iron (D)
Sulfur - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Iron
What method of fertilizer application may result in the development of thick patches of grass in
spots surrounding the tree? (A) Liquid injection (B) Surface application (C) Foliar application
(D) Implants - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Surface application
What characteristic is used to differentiate between vascular plant classifications? (A) Roots (B)
Leaves (C) Seeds (D) Skin - CORRECT ANSWER - C) Seeds
Of the options listed below which has the broadest level of taxonomic hierarchy? (A) Genus (B)
Order (C) Class (D) Family - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Class
, What characteristic below is used to differentiate between a simple leaf and a compound leaf?
(A) Number of buds (B) Length of petiole (C) Shape of leaflet (D) Number of leaflets -
CORRECT ANSWER - (D) Number of leaflets
What major group of conifers is defined by needles borne in clusters? (A) Pine (B) Spruce (C)
Fir (D) Juniper - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Pine
What leaf margin type is characterized by having a smooth edge? (A) Entire (B) Serrate (C)
Serrulate (D) Dentate - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Entire
What characteristic below is associated with dicots rather than monocots? (A) Parallel leaf veins
(B) Floral parts usually in multiples of four or five (C) Fibrous root system (D) One cotyledon -
CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Floral parts usually in multiples of four or five
A tree is to be planted close to a newly built retaining wall for beautification. What habit is most
likely appropriate for the selection of the tree. (A) Pyramidal (B) Upright (C) Weeping (D)
Spread - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Upright
Hardiness refers to a plant's ability to survive which of the following? (A) Drought (B) Low
temperatures (C) Impact (D) Shade - CORRECT ANSWER - (B) Low temperatures
What tree can be identified as having palmately compound leaves? (A) Buckeye (B) Ash (C)
Ailanthus (D) Walnut - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) Buckeye
What statement is true below regarding deciduous trees? (A) Allows light in the summer and
allows light in the winter (B) Allows light in the summer and blocks light in the winter (C)
Blocks light in the summer and allows light in the winter (D) Blocks light in the summer and
blocks light in the winter - CORRECT ANSWER - (C) Blocks light in the summer and
allows light in the winter
What USDA hardiness zone has an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -60 to -50
degrees Fahrenheit? (A) 1 (B) 5 (C) 9 (D) 13 - CORRECT ANSWER - (A) 1
