,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-22 Landscape, North, Carolina, Contractor, Project
Contractor Recommended
WITH A Instant PDF
Download Landscape
Contracting AND
Horticultural Science
Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Contractor 23-44 Landscape, Stormwater, Project, System, Design
North 45-66 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Critical, Design
Carolina 67-88 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Project, Critical
Project 89-110 Landscape, Contractor, Irrigation, System, North Carolina
Stormwater 111-130 Landscape, Contractor, North, Water, Carolina
TOTAL 130 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor
Recommended WITH A Instant PDF Download Landscape
Contracting AND Horticultural Science Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Q1.
Given a soil test from a North Carolina piedmont site showing pH 5.2, CEC 6.5 meq/100g,
and 2.5% organic matter, which approach best adjusts pH while minimizing nutrient
leaching and long-term reacidification?
A. Apply pelletized dolomitic lime at full B. Apply fine agricultural limestone at half
recommended rate and incorporate to 6 the recommended rate and rely on annual
inches topdressing
C. Use liquid calcium solution to rapidly D. Incorporate compost and sulfur to
raise pH without altering soil structure gradually raise pH and improve buffering
Correct: B - Apply fine agricultural limestone at half the recommended rate and rely on
annual topdressing
Rationale:In low-CEC, low-organic-matter piedmont soils, split applications of fine lime
reduce leaching and maintain pH stability. Pelletized lime dissolves slowly and is less
effective initially; liquid calcium doesn't address total acidity; sulfur lowers pH, not raises it.
Q2.
When designing a bioretention cell for a 1-acre parking lot in Charlotte, NC, what sizing
factor relative to the impervious drainage area is most critical to meet current stormwater
regulations and ensure adequate drawdown?
A. Cell surface area must equal at least 5% B. Storage volume must capture the 1-year,
of the impervious area 24-hour storm and drain within 48 hours
C. Underdrain must be sized to empty the D. Overflow structure must be at the cell's
cell within 12 hours surface elevation
Correct: B - Storage volume must capture the 1-year, 24-hour storm and drain within 48
hours
Rationale:North Carolina stormwater rules for high-density projects require capturing the
1-year, 24-hour storm and drawing down within 48 hours to prevent mosquito breeding and
maintain infiltration. Surface area alone is insufficient; underdrain sizing and overflow are
secondary design details.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Recommended WITH A Instant PDF Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural
Science Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q3.
A client's property has large mature oaks and a new landscape bed. Soil tests show high
nitrogen but low phosphorus. Which mycorrhizal inoculation strategy best supports tree
health while avoiding fertilizer contamination?
A. Apply broad-spectrum commercial B. Fertilize with a high-phosphorus
inoculant with endomycorrhizae around the slow-release fertilizer to bypass mycorrhizal
root zone need
C. Inoculate with ectomycorrhizal fungi D. Use a soil drench of soluble phosphorus
specific to oaks and avoid phosphorus and beneficial bacteria
fertilization
Correct: C - Inoculate with ectomycorrhizal fungi specific to oaks and avoid phosphorus
fertilization
Rationale:Oaks form ectomycorrhizal associations that enhance phosphorus uptake; adding
phosphorus suppresses mycorrhizal development. High-nitrogen conditions also reduce
colonization. Endomycorrhizae are less relevant for oaks; fertilizer application would be
counterproductive.
Q4.
In an integrated pest management program for crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) in the
southeastern US, which practice is most effective and least disruptive to beneficial
insects?
A. Drench imidacloprid in early spring before B. Apply horticultural oil during the crawler
egg hatch emergence window in late summer
C. Spray a broad-spectrum pyrethroid at first D. Inject a systemic neonicotinoid in fall for
sign of adult females next-season control
Correct: B - Apply horticultural oil during the crawler emergence window in late summer
Rationale:Horticultural oil targets vulnerable crawlers with minimal impact on beneficials.
Imidacloprid drenches are effective but can harm pollinators and beneficials; pyrethroids are
highly disruptive; fall injections are less effective against overwintering adults.
Q5.
A new irrigation system for a 2-acre turf area in the NC Piedmont uses a smart controller
with soil moisture sensors. To maximize water conservation while maintaining turf quality,
what is the most appropriate programming strategy?
A. Set controller to water daily at 50% ET, B. Program to water only when soil moisture
regardless of sensor readings drops to 50% of field capacity
Page 4
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-22 Landscape, North, Carolina, Contractor, Project
Contractor Recommended
WITH A Instant PDF
Download Landscape
Contracting AND
Horticultural Science
Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Contractor 23-44 Landscape, Stormwater, Project, System, Design
North 45-66 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Critical, Design
Carolina 67-88 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Project, Critical
Project 89-110 Landscape, Contractor, Irrigation, System, North Carolina
Stormwater 111-130 Landscape, Contractor, North, Water, Carolina
TOTAL 130 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor
Recommended WITH A Instant PDF Download Landscape
Contracting AND Horticultural Science Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Q1.
Given a soil test from a North Carolina piedmont site showing pH 5.2, CEC 6.5 meq/100g,
and 2.5% organic matter, which approach best adjusts pH while minimizing nutrient
leaching and long-term reacidification?
A. Apply pelletized dolomitic lime at full B. Apply fine agricultural limestone at half
recommended rate and incorporate to 6 the recommended rate and rely on annual
inches topdressing
C. Use liquid calcium solution to rapidly D. Incorporate compost and sulfur to
raise pH without altering soil structure gradually raise pH and improve buffering
Correct: B - Apply fine agricultural limestone at half the recommended rate and rely on
annual topdressing
Rationale:In low-CEC, low-organic-matter piedmont soils, split applications of fine lime
reduce leaching and maintain pH stability. Pelletized lime dissolves slowly and is less
effective initially; liquid calcium doesn't address total acidity; sulfur lowers pH, not raises it.
Q2.
When designing a bioretention cell for a 1-acre parking lot in Charlotte, NC, what sizing
factor relative to the impervious drainage area is most critical to meet current stormwater
regulations and ensure adequate drawdown?
A. Cell surface area must equal at least 5% B. Storage volume must capture the 1-year,
of the impervious area 24-hour storm and drain within 48 hours
C. Underdrain must be sized to empty the D. Overflow structure must be at the cell's
cell within 12 hours surface elevation
Correct: B - Storage volume must capture the 1-year, 24-hour storm and drain within 48
hours
Rationale:North Carolina stormwater rules for high-density projects require capturing the
1-year, 24-hour storm and drawing down within 48 hours to prevent mosquito breeding and
maintain infiltration. Surface area alone is insufficient; underdrain sizing and overflow are
secondary design details.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Recommended WITH A Instant PDF Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural
Science Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q3.
A client's property has large mature oaks and a new landscape bed. Soil tests show high
nitrogen but low phosphorus. Which mycorrhizal inoculation strategy best supports tree
health while avoiding fertilizer contamination?
A. Apply broad-spectrum commercial B. Fertilize with a high-phosphorus
inoculant with endomycorrhizae around the slow-release fertilizer to bypass mycorrhizal
root zone need
C. Inoculate with ectomycorrhizal fungi D. Use a soil drench of soluble phosphorus
specific to oaks and avoid phosphorus and beneficial bacteria
fertilization
Correct: C - Inoculate with ectomycorrhizal fungi specific to oaks and avoid phosphorus
fertilization
Rationale:Oaks form ectomycorrhizal associations that enhance phosphorus uptake; adding
phosphorus suppresses mycorrhizal development. High-nitrogen conditions also reduce
colonization. Endomycorrhizae are less relevant for oaks; fertilizer application would be
counterproductive.
Q4.
In an integrated pest management program for crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) in the
southeastern US, which practice is most effective and least disruptive to beneficial
insects?
A. Drench imidacloprid in early spring before B. Apply horticultural oil during the crawler
egg hatch emergence window in late summer
C. Spray a broad-spectrum pyrethroid at first D. Inject a systemic neonicotinoid in fall for
sign of adult females next-season control
Correct: B - Apply horticultural oil during the crawler emergence window in late summer
Rationale:Horticultural oil targets vulnerable crawlers with minimal impact on beneficials.
Imidacloprid drenches are effective but can harm pollinators and beneficials; pyrethroids are
highly disruptive; fall injections are less effective against overwintering adults.
Q5.
A new irrigation system for a 2-acre turf area in the NC Piedmont uses a smart controller
with soil moisture sensors. To maximize water conservation while maintaining turf quality,
what is the most appropriate programming strategy?
A. Set controller to water daily at 50% ET, B. Program to water only when soil moisture
regardless of sensor readings drops to 50% of field capacity
Page 4
