ISA Arborist Test 03: Soil Science & Tree ID

ISA Test 03: Key Themes

This exam focuses on Soil Health, Fertilizer Math, and Plant Biology.

Danger: Clay soil compacts easily when wet. Avoid driving heavy gear over wet clay. This squashes the air out and kills roots.
Info: Nitrogen is the main nutrient for tree growth. Most of it comes from old leaves and mulch breaking down into the soil.
Tech Note: Always look for the axillary bud to identify a leaf. If you don't see a bud at the base of a leaf part, you are looking at a leaflet.
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Q:1What soil type is most easily compacted?
Clay soil has very small, flat particles. They pack together tightly when they get wet. This leaves no room for air or water.
Q:2What is not a tree characteristic which helps to prevent the loss of water?
Big leaves lose more water. Small leaves, hairs, and waxy coatings help a tree keep its water.
Q:3What irrigation system type provides water slowly to specific areas of the tree root zone?
Drip systems move water slowly to the roots. This stops water from washing away or drying up in the sun.
Q:4Trees help to control stormwater runoff by all of the following means except:
Trees use leaves, bark, and roots to catch water. Leaf litter on the ground also soaks up rain. Every part of a tree helps stop runoff.
Q:5While mulch provides many benefits, which of the following is often ... [Show Full Question 5]
Q:6What is the minimum slope for drainage pipes ... [Show Full Question 6]
Q:7The main function of a rain garden ... [Show Full Question 7]
Q:8What macronutrient most often has the largest ... [Show Full Question 8]
Q:9What essential element is more readily available ... [Show Full Question 9]
Q:10Nitrogen is present in soil mostly ... [Show Full Question 10]
Q:11A 50-lb bag of fertilizer has a 10-6-4 analysis. How many ... [Show Full Question 11]
Q:12According to ANSI A300 standards, the maximum recommended application rate for quick-release ... [Show Full Question 12]
Q:13What project constraint listed below has a detrimental effect ... [Show Full Question 13]
Q:14What element can be classified ... [Show Full Question 14]
Q:15Which fertilizer application method is most likely to cause dark green, ... [Show Full Question 15]
Q:16What characteristic is used to differentiate ... [Show Full Question 16]
Q:17Of the options listed below, which has the broadest ... [Show Full Question 17]
Q:18What characteristic below is used to differentiate ... [Show Full Question 18]
Q:19What major group of conifers is defined ... [Show Full Question 19]
Q:20What leaf margin type is characterized ... [Show Full Question 20]

Test 03 Study Summary

1. Fertilizer Math A bag of 10-6-4 fertilizer is 4% potassium. In a 50-pound bag, that means there are 2 pounds of potassium.
2. Water Management Drip irrigation is the best for trees. It puts water slowly into the root zone and stops waste from runoff.
3. Leaf Anatomy An "entire" leaf margin means the edge is smooth. Toothed edges have names like serrate or dentate.

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