ISA – Arborist Exam Questions And Answers Verified
100% Correct
cable clamp - ANSWER should be used to attach small diameter cable to anchor
hardware. There should be at least 3 clamps per anchor and the "U" of the clamp goes
on the short end of the cable.
cable end termination - ANSWER the hardware designed to anchor cables installed
through a branch or stem.
cable grip - ANSWER a mechanical device that temporarily grasps and holds wire rope
or strand cable during installation.
cabling - ANSWER the installation of a steel wire rope or synthetic-fiber rope within a
tree to provide supplemental sup-port to branches with weak unions, heavy branches,
and weak wooded species that may pose a threat of failure.
caliper - ANSWER tree trunk diameter measured 6 in. (15 cm) above the flare; if the
caliper is greater than 4 in. (10 cm), the measurement is taken at 12 in. (30 cm) above
the flare.
cambium or cambial zone - ANSWER a layer of trunk cells that produce xylem on the
inner side and phloem or inner bark on the outer side.
-produce cells that become xylem,phloem or cambium
canker - ANSWER a definite, relatively localized lesion, primarily of bark and wood.
capillary water - ANSWER the water held in the capillary pores of soil.
capsule - ANSWER a simple, dry, fruit.
carbon dioxide - ANSWER a colorless gas, soluble in water, used by green plants to
make carbohydrates during photosynthesis.
carotenoid: - ANSWER the yellow, orange, or red pigment responsible for those colors
in parts of a tree.
capillary water - ANSWER water available to trees and plants after gravitational water
has drained away
carbon dioxide - ANSWER carbon dioxide in the leaf- photosythesis
,-oxygen and water out through transpiration
cataphylls - ANSWER the simple protecting leaf wrapped over a small bud structure.
cation exchange capacity - ANSWER the ability of soil to hold onto nutrients.
cations - ANSWER positively charged atoms or molecules in fertilizer that become
plant available in water.
catkins - ANSWER the long droopy flowers produced at the ends of branchlets that
eventually fall from the tree.
cavitation - ANSWER a break in the continuity of water columns in the xylem and the
water supply to transpiring leaves. Cavitation is usually caused by extreme soil or
weather conditions when the tension of water within the xylem becomes so great that
dissolved air within the water expands to fill either the vessel elements or the tracheids.
cellulose - ANSWER a complex carbohydrate made up of long, twisting chains of
glucose or sugar molecules.
chelates - ANSWER chemical compounds that keep plant nutrients soluble and
available for tree absorption.
chemical management methods - ANSWER the management of pests and vegetation
through the use of pesticides, herbicides, and growth regulators, to make conditions
more favorable for tree growth.
chitin - ANSWER a hard substance forming the outer coat of insects and the cell walls
of some fungi.
choloplast - ANSWER specialized cells that contain chlorophyll and promote making
starch or sugar.
chlorosis - ANSWER the partial failure to develop chlorophyll, caused by a nutrient
deficiency or the activities of apathogen.
chromosone - ANSWER consist of genes and are responsible for the activity of a cell
and undergo division into newly formed parts of the tree.
circling roots - ANSWER one or more roots whose diameter is greater than 10% of the
trunk caliper circling more than one-third of the trunk. Circling roots are unacceptable for
proper tree root growth.
,cladoptosis - ANSWER a process in which trees shed their branches as part of their
normal physiology once a year, typically on cedars.
cleaning - ANSWER the selective pruning to remove one or more of dead, diseased, or
broken branches.
come-along - ANSWER a portable winching device, using cable or rope to draw two
objects closer together.
compaction - ANSWER weights on the soil surface that destroy the micro cavities and
the many mycorrhizae that grow in the soil. The compaction of the soil reduces the
oxygen content which is needed in the soil for root respiration.
compression wood: - ANSWER this wood forms on the lower side of the lean in
conifers, as evidenced by closely spaced rings.
condition - ANSWER the general condition of a tree rated during the inventory and
according to the ISA rating system: Excellent - 100%, Very Good - 90%, Good - 80%,
Fair - 60%, Poor - 40%, Critical - 20%, Dead - 0%.
conifers - ANSWER gymnosperms such as pine. The wood contains resin ducts.
controlling authority - ANSWER an agency, organization, or corporate entity with the
legal authority and/or obligation to manage individual trees or tree populations.
coppicing - ANSWER the old-fashion cutting down of a tree within 12 in. (300mm) of
the ground at regular intervals, traditionally applied to certain species such as Hazel and
Sweet Chestnut that resprout to provide stakes.
cordate - ANSWER a heart-shaped leaf.
core sample - ANSWER a sample of wood extracted from a trunk or branch, using an
increment borer tool. The resulting core can be analyzed for characteristics of growth,
structure, decay, and species identification.
cotyledon: - ANSWER the first leaf on a seedling.
crenate - ANSWER a term to describe a leaf margin with rounded teeth.
crimp-type connector: - ANSWER a cast or stamped connector used to connect cables
in either an end-to-end, side-by-side, or a Y configuration in a lightning protection
system.
, Critical Root Zone (CRZ) - ANSWER the portion of the root system that is the minimum
necessary to maintain vitality or stability of the tree. Encroachment or damage to the
critical root zone will put the tree at risk of failure.
crown cleaning - ANSWER the selective removal of dead, dying, diseased, and broken
branches from the tree crown
crown thinning: - ANSWER the removal of a portion of smaller branches, usually at the
outer crown, to produce a uniform density of foliage around an evenly spaced branch
structure. It is usually confined to broad-leaved species. Material should be removed
throughout the tree and no more than 30% during one growing season.
crown lifting or crown raising - ANSWER the removal of the lowest branches. Good
practice dictates crown lifting should not normally include the removal of large branches
growing directly from the trunk.Crown lifting on older, mature trees should be avoided,
restricted to secondary branches, or shortening of primary branches. Crown lifting is an
effective method to enable access under the crown but should be restricted to less than
15% of the live crown height. Crown lifting height should be specified.
connection links used it tree rigging - ANSWER carabiners, shackles, screw links
crown reduction: - ANSWER the selective reduction in height and/or spread of a tree's
crown. Crown reduction should retain the main framework of the crown, a significant
proportion of the leaf bearing structure, and a smaller outline. Crown reduction cuts
should be as small as possible. Reductions should be specified by actual
measurements. Crown reduction should not be confused with 'topping', a harmful
treatment.
cultural control methods - ANSWER plant management through irrigation, raking,
pruning, etc. as well as the control of vegetation through the establishment of
compatible, stable, plant communities or the use of crops, pastures, parks, or other
managed landscapes.
cytokinins - ANSWER one of the molecules in DNA.
DBH - ANSWER Diameter at Breast Height is the measurement of the trunk diameter
taken at 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above the flare.
dead-end brace - ANSWER a brace formed by threading a lag-thread screw rod
directly into the branch, leader, or trunk, but not out through the side opposite the
installation.
100% Correct
cable clamp - ANSWER should be used to attach small diameter cable to anchor
hardware. There should be at least 3 clamps per anchor and the "U" of the clamp goes
on the short end of the cable.
cable end termination - ANSWER the hardware designed to anchor cables installed
through a branch or stem.
cable grip - ANSWER a mechanical device that temporarily grasps and holds wire rope
or strand cable during installation.
cabling - ANSWER the installation of a steel wire rope or synthetic-fiber rope within a
tree to provide supplemental sup-port to branches with weak unions, heavy branches,
and weak wooded species that may pose a threat of failure.
caliper - ANSWER tree trunk diameter measured 6 in. (15 cm) above the flare; if the
caliper is greater than 4 in. (10 cm), the measurement is taken at 12 in. (30 cm) above
the flare.
cambium or cambial zone - ANSWER a layer of trunk cells that produce xylem on the
inner side and phloem or inner bark on the outer side.
-produce cells that become xylem,phloem or cambium
canker - ANSWER a definite, relatively localized lesion, primarily of bark and wood.
capillary water - ANSWER the water held in the capillary pores of soil.
capsule - ANSWER a simple, dry, fruit.
carbon dioxide - ANSWER a colorless gas, soluble in water, used by green plants to
make carbohydrates during photosynthesis.
carotenoid: - ANSWER the yellow, orange, or red pigment responsible for those colors
in parts of a tree.
capillary water - ANSWER water available to trees and plants after gravitational water
has drained away
carbon dioxide - ANSWER carbon dioxide in the leaf- photosythesis
,-oxygen and water out through transpiration
cataphylls - ANSWER the simple protecting leaf wrapped over a small bud structure.
cation exchange capacity - ANSWER the ability of soil to hold onto nutrients.
cations - ANSWER positively charged atoms or molecules in fertilizer that become
plant available in water.
catkins - ANSWER the long droopy flowers produced at the ends of branchlets that
eventually fall from the tree.
cavitation - ANSWER a break in the continuity of water columns in the xylem and the
water supply to transpiring leaves. Cavitation is usually caused by extreme soil or
weather conditions when the tension of water within the xylem becomes so great that
dissolved air within the water expands to fill either the vessel elements or the tracheids.
cellulose - ANSWER a complex carbohydrate made up of long, twisting chains of
glucose or sugar molecules.
chelates - ANSWER chemical compounds that keep plant nutrients soluble and
available for tree absorption.
chemical management methods - ANSWER the management of pests and vegetation
through the use of pesticides, herbicides, and growth regulators, to make conditions
more favorable for tree growth.
chitin - ANSWER a hard substance forming the outer coat of insects and the cell walls
of some fungi.
choloplast - ANSWER specialized cells that contain chlorophyll and promote making
starch or sugar.
chlorosis - ANSWER the partial failure to develop chlorophyll, caused by a nutrient
deficiency or the activities of apathogen.
chromosone - ANSWER consist of genes and are responsible for the activity of a cell
and undergo division into newly formed parts of the tree.
circling roots - ANSWER one or more roots whose diameter is greater than 10% of the
trunk caliper circling more than one-third of the trunk. Circling roots are unacceptable for
proper tree root growth.
,cladoptosis - ANSWER a process in which trees shed their branches as part of their
normal physiology once a year, typically on cedars.
cleaning - ANSWER the selective pruning to remove one or more of dead, diseased, or
broken branches.
come-along - ANSWER a portable winching device, using cable or rope to draw two
objects closer together.
compaction - ANSWER weights on the soil surface that destroy the micro cavities and
the many mycorrhizae that grow in the soil. The compaction of the soil reduces the
oxygen content which is needed in the soil for root respiration.
compression wood: - ANSWER this wood forms on the lower side of the lean in
conifers, as evidenced by closely spaced rings.
condition - ANSWER the general condition of a tree rated during the inventory and
according to the ISA rating system: Excellent - 100%, Very Good - 90%, Good - 80%,
Fair - 60%, Poor - 40%, Critical - 20%, Dead - 0%.
conifers - ANSWER gymnosperms such as pine. The wood contains resin ducts.
controlling authority - ANSWER an agency, organization, or corporate entity with the
legal authority and/or obligation to manage individual trees or tree populations.
coppicing - ANSWER the old-fashion cutting down of a tree within 12 in. (300mm) of
the ground at regular intervals, traditionally applied to certain species such as Hazel and
Sweet Chestnut that resprout to provide stakes.
cordate - ANSWER a heart-shaped leaf.
core sample - ANSWER a sample of wood extracted from a trunk or branch, using an
increment borer tool. The resulting core can be analyzed for characteristics of growth,
structure, decay, and species identification.
cotyledon: - ANSWER the first leaf on a seedling.
crenate - ANSWER a term to describe a leaf margin with rounded teeth.
crimp-type connector: - ANSWER a cast or stamped connector used to connect cables
in either an end-to-end, side-by-side, or a Y configuration in a lightning protection
system.
, Critical Root Zone (CRZ) - ANSWER the portion of the root system that is the minimum
necessary to maintain vitality or stability of the tree. Encroachment or damage to the
critical root zone will put the tree at risk of failure.
crown cleaning - ANSWER the selective removal of dead, dying, diseased, and broken
branches from the tree crown
crown thinning: - ANSWER the removal of a portion of smaller branches, usually at the
outer crown, to produce a uniform density of foliage around an evenly spaced branch
structure. It is usually confined to broad-leaved species. Material should be removed
throughout the tree and no more than 30% during one growing season.
crown lifting or crown raising - ANSWER the removal of the lowest branches. Good
practice dictates crown lifting should not normally include the removal of large branches
growing directly from the trunk.Crown lifting on older, mature trees should be avoided,
restricted to secondary branches, or shortening of primary branches. Crown lifting is an
effective method to enable access under the crown but should be restricted to less than
15% of the live crown height. Crown lifting height should be specified.
connection links used it tree rigging - ANSWER carabiners, shackles, screw links
crown reduction: - ANSWER the selective reduction in height and/or spread of a tree's
crown. Crown reduction should retain the main framework of the crown, a significant
proportion of the leaf bearing structure, and a smaller outline. Crown reduction cuts
should be as small as possible. Reductions should be specified by actual
measurements. Crown reduction should not be confused with 'topping', a harmful
treatment.
cultural control methods - ANSWER plant management through irrigation, raking,
pruning, etc. as well as the control of vegetation through the establishment of
compatible, stable, plant communities or the use of crops, pastures, parks, or other
managed landscapes.
cytokinins - ANSWER one of the molecules in DNA.
DBH - ANSWER Diameter at Breast Height is the measurement of the trunk diameter
taken at 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above the flare.
dead-end brace - ANSWER a brace formed by threading a lag-thread screw rod
directly into the branch, leader, or trunk, but not out through the side opposite the
installation.
