ISA Arborist Test 02: Tree Care & Operations

Use our Arborist exam questions to test your skills and review key concepts before exam day for your ISA Certified Arborist certification.

ISA Test 02: Exam Essentials

This exam focuses on Safety Standards, Soil Science, and Structural Support.

Electrical Hazard: Treat all overhead lines as energized. This includes phone and cable lines. They can carry fatal current from contact points elsewhere.

Soil Chemistry: Iron is a micronutrient that becomes locked away in alkaline soils. It is most available to trees when the soil pH is low and acidic.

Wound Dressings: Modern standards show that paints and dressings do not stop decay. They are mostly for looks and can actually trap moisture.

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Edited by: Test-Questions.com Editorial Team

Last Updated: April 26, 2026

Q:1A whoopie sling is another name for a(n)

webbing sling

rope sling

two-in-one lanyard

adjustable eye-to-eye sling

Q:2Which of the following best describes the modern arboricultural view on the use of wound dressings?

They should be applied to all pruning cuts larger than 2 inches.

They accelerate the formation of callus tissue and heartwood.

They are essential for preventing oak wilt and Dutch elm disease in all seasons.

They are primarily used for aesthetic purposes and do not prevent decay.

Q:3Using ropes and other equipment to remove limbs or bring down entire trees is known as

shock-loading

landing

rigging

notching

Q:4At which of the following soil pH levels would iron be most available?

Q:5For which of the following branches would propping be most appropriate?

A large branch growing parallel to the ground

A large branch

A small branch

A small branch growing perpendicular to the ground

Q:6What is a potential drawback of applying high-phosphorus starter fertilizers during tree planting without a soil test?

It prevents the tree from absorbing nitrogen.

It causes the tree to grow too tall for its root system.

It increases the soil pH to toxic levels.

Excess phosphorus can inhibit the development of beneficial mycorrhizae.

Q:7With sprinkler irrigation

less frequent waterings of longer duration will lessen the likelihood of salt buildup

application rates that exceed absorption can lead to runoff

all of these answers are correct

water hitting the soil surface can lead to crusting

Q:8According to ANSI A300 standards, if an arborist encounters a limb with significant decay or a hollow center at the desired cable attachment point, they should:

Use through-bolt hardware with washers instead of lag hooks.

Increase the cable tension to compensate for the decay.

Apply a wound dressing to the hardware entry point.

Install extra-long lag hooks to reach sound wood on the far side.

Q:9Trees to be planted under utility lines should be

tolerant of heavy top pruning

low-growing to remain below the lines

vase-shaped or overrarching to clear conductors

all of these answers are correct

Q:10The climatic factor that determines hardiness zones is

temperature, rainfall and winds

east-west location

temperature only

north-south location

Q:11The primary factor in controlling the depth, spread and distribution of tree roots in the soil is the

genetics of the plant

available phosphorus and potassium

available oxygen and water

pH of the soil

Q:12Which evergreen trees have needles in bundles?

firs

pines

spruces

hemlocks

Q:13Fastigiate trees have a growth form that is

overarching

weeping

upright

vase-shaped

Q:14According to Z133 safety standards, which of the following lines should be considered energized and dangerous?

Only the secondary service drops to the house.

Only high-voltage primary distribution lines.

All overhead lines, including telephone and cable TV.

Only lines that are sparking or smoking.

Q:15If the grade must be raised on a construction site, a step that may preserve the trees is

installation of aeration tiles

all of these answers are correct

construction of tree wells

vertical mulching

Q:16Staking or guying when planting a tree

is not necessary for trees greater than 6 inches diameter

is only done for bare root trees

is not always required or necessary

promotes a larger and stronger root system and better trunk taper

Q:17When irrigating trees

keeping the soil moist at the root flare reduces girdling root formation

the most beneficial and efficient time to water is mid-afternoon at peak sunlight

the foliage should be kept wet at night to reduce transpiration

infrequent, but deep soakings are preferable to frequent, shallow waterings

Q:18If a planting hole in a clay soil site is backfilled with sandy soil

drainage will be improved, helping the tree to establish

nutrients will be more available to the newly established roots within the planting hole

the improved texture of the backfill will reduce the chances of girdling roots forming later

water will drain very slowly out of the planting hole

Q:19A condition characterized by a cluster of dwarfed shoots on affected twigs is

verticillium wilt

anthracnose

witches broom

chlorosis

Q:20A soil is at field capacity when

the permanent wilting point has been reached

it is completely saturated

gravitational water has drained away

there is no water available to the roots

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Test 02 Study Summary

1. The Bathtub Effect Avoid backfilling a clay hole with sandy soil. Water will collect in the hole and drown the tree roots.

2. Field Capacity This is the best state for tree growth. It happens after extra water drains away by gravity but the soil stays moist.

3. Tree Support Only use through-bolts if the wood is decayed. Lag hooks need solid, healthy wood to stay secure.

About This Practice Module

This test contains 20 practice questions covering key topics in Maintenance & Safety. Use our Arborist exam questions to assess your knowledge and prepare for your official certification exam for your ISA Certified Arborist. Immediate scoring and answer rationales are provided for every question.