Louisiana Arborist Exam UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Discuss the differences between "flush cuts" and proper cuts made to outer portions of branch
collar. How do "flush cuts" affect growth? - Correct answers✔✔A proper cut leaves the branch
bark ridge, branch collar, and swollen collar in tact. It enables the cut to close in a circular
fashion. Flush cuts remove it and opens the tree to decay by removing dead wood which branch
defense zones form.
Explain thinning cut and describe how they will affect the tree. - Correct answers✔✔It is
removing the branch back to the lateral branch, large enough to assume terminal role. It opens
the tree, reduces weight, reduces height, and retains its shape.
Discuss Shingo's theory of walling off infections in trees called CODIT (Compartmentalization
of Decay in Trees). - Correct answers✔✔1) Trees are highly compartmentalized.
2) If the tree is wounded, it will heal itself by walling itself off from injury.
How will pruning a tree at time of transplanting affect tree growth? - Correct answers✔✔It
decreases root growth. You should avoid pruning except for broken or damaged limbs.
Are there advantages of pruning a tree at planting time? - Correct answers✔✔No
What is the major objective in crown cleaning? - Correct answers✔✔It removes dead, diseased,
and dying crowded or wealdy attached limbs from the crown. the objective is to correct small
growth problems before they get big growth problems.
Name five methods used to apply fertilization to trees. - Correct answers✔✔Broadcasting, drill
hole, injection, foliar application, and implants
,Are wound dressings or paint recommended after making pruning cuts? Why? - Correct
answers✔✔No, studies show it does no good.
What is the purpose of crown restoration? - Correct answers✔✔Improves structure and
appearance of improperly pruned or storm-damaged trees by encouraging new growth.
List 3 ways cavities are started in trees. - Correct answers✔✔Insects, lightning, and wounds.
What is the definition of a tree? - Correct answers✔✔A woody perennial with one or several
trunks which grow higher than 12-15 ft in height.
List five species of trees to plant under a power line. - Correct answers✔✔Crape myrtle, chaste
tree, red bud, silver bell, dogwood.
If you want to fertilize a tree by broadcasting 4 lbs. of actual nitrogen and want to use 16-4-8
fertilizer, how often would you apply it over 1000 sq. ft. in one year? - Correct answers✔✔1 lb.
of Nitrogen / .16 (N in fertilizer) = 6.25 lbs per 1,000 ft.
6.25 lbs of Fertilizer x 4 lbs of N = 25 lbs of Fertilizer annually.
6.25 lbs. of 16-4-8 fertilizer should be applied 4 times a year.
List the most important pieces of safety equipment when using a chainsaw. - Correct
answers✔✔Safety glasses, earplugs, face shield, hard hat, leg protection, and boots.
List the major parts of a tree and their function. - Correct answers✔✔Leaves - photosynthesis,
transpiration.
,Trunk/Stems - conduct, support, storage.
Roots - anchorage, absorbing, storage, conduction.
Flowers - reproduction.
Fruit-ripened seed, pistil
What is the most critical time after transplanting a tree and why? - Correct answers✔✔The 1st
year to focus on root establishment.
What are the benefits of mulching a young tree? - Correct answers✔✔To conserve moisture,
reduce competition from weeds and grass, improve soil structure, and aesthetic value.
List 3 benefits of mulch. - Correct answers✔✔1) Retains moisture.
2) Reduces weeds.
3) Insulates roots.
Why is the use of spurs prohibited on living trees? - Correct answers✔✔It causes wounds and
damages the tree.
What is chlorosis in a tree and how is it treated? - Correct answers✔✔The yellowing of leaves
can be treated with Manganese.
Why is it recommended to use a block when lowering a heavy limb? - Correct answers✔✔To
carry the load and reduce injury to a crotch from a climber's line.
Describe how to cut down a large limb. - Correct answers✔✔Place the rigging point above the
work, tie the limb at the butt, then cut and lower the limb to the ground.
, What other activities can a climbing rope be used for? - Correct answers✔✔To secure a climber
to the tree for use of 2-hands, to swing, and for rescue.
Distinguish between narrow and wide crotch angles. Could either harm the tree? - Correct
answers✔✔Crotch angles are where branches fork, or where a main limb joins the trunk.
Narrow Crotch angles (Tight) are where the angle between two branches is too narrow (less than
45 degrees). they can lead to structure weaknesses and tree failure
Wide Crotch angles (Strong) are where the angle between the two branches 45 degrees or more.
Describe Xylem and Phloem, and their function. - Correct answers✔✔Plants have tissues to
transport water, nutrients and minerals.
Xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots up to other parts of the plant.
Phloem transports sucrose and amino acids from the leaves and other parts of the plant.
Is a contract required between an LA licensed arborist before tree work is performed? - Correct
answers✔✔Yes
What state and federal licenses are required before an arborist applies pesticides? - Correct
answers✔✔State commissioned pesticide applicators license. Federal in accordance with all
federal regulations, may apply pesticides for the purpose of retarding decay or disease.
What is soil pH and does it affect nutrient availability of a tree? - Correct answers✔✔The acidity
or alkalinity of the soil. Trees may exhibit nutrient deficiency or toxicity symptoms from
unbalanced soil pH levels.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Discuss the differences between "flush cuts" and proper cuts made to outer portions of branch
collar. How do "flush cuts" affect growth? - Correct answers✔✔A proper cut leaves the branch
bark ridge, branch collar, and swollen collar in tact. It enables the cut to close in a circular
fashion. Flush cuts remove it and opens the tree to decay by removing dead wood which branch
defense zones form.
Explain thinning cut and describe how they will affect the tree. - Correct answers✔✔It is
removing the branch back to the lateral branch, large enough to assume terminal role. It opens
the tree, reduces weight, reduces height, and retains its shape.
Discuss Shingo's theory of walling off infections in trees called CODIT (Compartmentalization
of Decay in Trees). - Correct answers✔✔1) Trees are highly compartmentalized.
2) If the tree is wounded, it will heal itself by walling itself off from injury.
How will pruning a tree at time of transplanting affect tree growth? - Correct answers✔✔It
decreases root growth. You should avoid pruning except for broken or damaged limbs.
Are there advantages of pruning a tree at planting time? - Correct answers✔✔No
What is the major objective in crown cleaning? - Correct answers✔✔It removes dead, diseased,
and dying crowded or wealdy attached limbs from the crown. the objective is to correct small
growth problems before they get big growth problems.
Name five methods used to apply fertilization to trees. - Correct answers✔✔Broadcasting, drill
hole, injection, foliar application, and implants
,Are wound dressings or paint recommended after making pruning cuts? Why? - Correct
answers✔✔No, studies show it does no good.
What is the purpose of crown restoration? - Correct answers✔✔Improves structure and
appearance of improperly pruned or storm-damaged trees by encouraging new growth.
List 3 ways cavities are started in trees. - Correct answers✔✔Insects, lightning, and wounds.
What is the definition of a tree? - Correct answers✔✔A woody perennial with one or several
trunks which grow higher than 12-15 ft in height.
List five species of trees to plant under a power line. - Correct answers✔✔Crape myrtle, chaste
tree, red bud, silver bell, dogwood.
If you want to fertilize a tree by broadcasting 4 lbs. of actual nitrogen and want to use 16-4-8
fertilizer, how often would you apply it over 1000 sq. ft. in one year? - Correct answers✔✔1 lb.
of Nitrogen / .16 (N in fertilizer) = 6.25 lbs per 1,000 ft.
6.25 lbs of Fertilizer x 4 lbs of N = 25 lbs of Fertilizer annually.
6.25 lbs. of 16-4-8 fertilizer should be applied 4 times a year.
List the most important pieces of safety equipment when using a chainsaw. - Correct
answers✔✔Safety glasses, earplugs, face shield, hard hat, leg protection, and boots.
List the major parts of a tree and their function. - Correct answers✔✔Leaves - photosynthesis,
transpiration.
,Trunk/Stems - conduct, support, storage.
Roots - anchorage, absorbing, storage, conduction.
Flowers - reproduction.
Fruit-ripened seed, pistil
What is the most critical time after transplanting a tree and why? - Correct answers✔✔The 1st
year to focus on root establishment.
What are the benefits of mulching a young tree? - Correct answers✔✔To conserve moisture,
reduce competition from weeds and grass, improve soil structure, and aesthetic value.
List 3 benefits of mulch. - Correct answers✔✔1) Retains moisture.
2) Reduces weeds.
3) Insulates roots.
Why is the use of spurs prohibited on living trees? - Correct answers✔✔It causes wounds and
damages the tree.
What is chlorosis in a tree and how is it treated? - Correct answers✔✔The yellowing of leaves
can be treated with Manganese.
Why is it recommended to use a block when lowering a heavy limb? - Correct answers✔✔To
carry the load and reduce injury to a crotch from a climber's line.
Describe how to cut down a large limb. - Correct answers✔✔Place the rigging point above the
work, tie the limb at the butt, then cut and lower the limb to the ground.
, What other activities can a climbing rope be used for? - Correct answers✔✔To secure a climber
to the tree for use of 2-hands, to swing, and for rescue.
Distinguish between narrow and wide crotch angles. Could either harm the tree? - Correct
answers✔✔Crotch angles are where branches fork, or where a main limb joins the trunk.
Narrow Crotch angles (Tight) are where the angle between two branches is too narrow (less than
45 degrees). they can lead to structure weaknesses and tree failure
Wide Crotch angles (Strong) are where the angle between the two branches 45 degrees or more.
Describe Xylem and Phloem, and their function. - Correct answers✔✔Plants have tissues to
transport water, nutrients and minerals.
Xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots up to other parts of the plant.
Phloem transports sucrose and amino acids from the leaves and other parts of the plant.
Is a contract required between an LA licensed arborist before tree work is performed? - Correct
answers✔✔Yes
What state and federal licenses are required before an arborist applies pesticides? - Correct
answers✔✔State commissioned pesticide applicators license. Federal in accordance with all
federal regulations, may apply pesticides for the purpose of retarding decay or disease.
What is soil pH and does it affect nutrient availability of a tree? - Correct answers✔✔The acidity
or alkalinity of the soil. Trees may exhibit nutrient deficiency or toxicity symptoms from
unbalanced soil pH levels.
