ISA Municipal Arborist Study Guide
Exam Final Complete Questions and
Answers
Biogenic volatile compounds - CORRECT ANSWER-Pollutants produced by trees, that
can contribute to the formation of ozone and carbon monoxide
UFORE - CORRECT ANSWER-Urban Forest Effects model - Systems that uses field
data to provide information on the amount and value of atmospheric contaminant
removal, carbon storage, and energy conservation. Uses real-time, standardized field
data from randomly located plots and local hourly air pollution and meteorological data
to quantify urban forest structure and numerous urban forest effects for cities across the
world. UFORE provides information on the amount and value of atmospheric
contaminant removal, carbon storage, and energy conservation. If does not include
inventory program.
Two climate change benefits from trees - CORRECT ANSWER-Remove carbon dioxide
and sequester carbon in wood
To maximize energy benefits in warm climate areas, trees should be planted -
CORRECT ANSWER-On the east and west sides of buildings
Municipal arboriculture - CORRECT ANSWER-A specialized field of arboriculture and
urban forestry that deals with management of planted and naturally occurring
greenspaces on public land.
Arboriculture - CORRECT ANSWER-Practice and study of the care of trees and other
woody plants in the landscape.
Urban forestry - CORRECT ANSWER-Management of naturally occurring and planted
trees and associated plants in urban areas.
Two methods of valuing plants recommended by the Council of Tree and Landscape
Appraisers are - CORRECT ANSWER-Replacement Cost Method and Trunk Formula
Method
Reasons a community may place a priority on tree preservation during land
development - CORRECT ANSWER-important environmental and social functions,
added property value, community demands tree preservation, trees may be part of
larger resource conservation program
,Five management improvements needed to achieve urban forest sustainability -
CORRECT ANSWER-improved tree inventory implementation, analysis, assessment,
and integration; improved dialog and collaboration among agencies, tree owners, and
managers; improved understanding of the relationship between forest configuration and
benefits; improved knowledge of the factors affecting forest health; improved
information transfer
Key functions of the municipal arborist - CORRECT ANSWER-Providing expertise in the
condition and function of the urban forest; coordinating other professionals and
technical information; overseeing preparation of the document; acting as contract
administrator; gathering applicable resource information; formulating goals and action
items; preparing or contributing to written document
Information the municipal arborist should provide to help facilitate development of an
urban forest master plan - CORRECT ANSWER-Description and evaluation of the
urban forest; evaluation of infrastructure conflicts; description of department structure,
budget, funding sources, operations, staffing; description of interaction with municipal
departments and related community groups
Agents of change - CORRECT ANSWER-Factors that influence the dynamics of the
vegetation over time. E.g. environmental agents (air pollution and pests), public agents
(ordinances and tree boards), Private agents (news media and land developers)
Major components of a comprehensive street tree management plan - CORRECT
ANSWER-Identify locations and sequence of planting to optimize tree cover; identify
tasks to be preformed and their priority for allocation of funds; tree replacement policy to
when trees will be removed and replaced; actions to create a wide range of species and
ages; information-education program between public and agency; how to incorporate
agents of change that arise over time to accomplish goals
Municipal arborists' role in meeting criteria for urban forest sustainability - CORRECT
ANSWER-Providing expertise and action in selecting, installing, and maintaining new
trees, and preserving and maintaining existing trees; providing expertise and outreach
to the community and green industries; adopting and adhering to professional standards
for tree care
In developing an urban forest master plan, the vegetation that should be considered
includes - CORRECT ANSWER-Street trees, parks, greenbelts. NOT ecological
preserves or residential gardens
Examples of comprehensive goals of an urban forest management plan - CORRECT
ANSWER-Defining the percentage of canopy cover; policies for risk management
versus tree removal, and encouraging public participation
Work plan time frame - CORRECT ANSWER-Immediate (1-2 years)
, Master plan time frame - CORRECT ANSWER-Long range (>10 years)
Management plan time frame - CORRECT ANSWER-Short term (3-5 years) or
intermediate (5-10 years)
Successful tree preservation requires __________ for adequate __________ for tree
root and crown development and function. - CORRECT ANSWER-planning and space
Tree inventory - CORRECT ANSWER-Data are collected about individual trees within a
population. The data usually includes species, size, health, structural condition, location,
and maintenance requirements.
Natural resource inventory - CORRECT ANSWER-Assessment is done on a group level
(rather than for individual trees). The data usually includes stand density, age
distribution, and species composition, as well as associated vegetation, fauna, and
ecological and geological features often are included.
i-Tree - CORRECT ANSWER-Software tool that links STRATUM, UFORE, and MCTI. i-
Tree allows communities to analyze the costs, benefits, and management needs of their
urban forest using integrated computer tools. i-Tree can be used within a community to
compare and contrast the cost and benefits of different tree species, sizes, and life
span. i-Tree is different from commercial tree inventory software in that it uses USDA
Forest Service software to analyze costs and benefits of the urban forest.
MCTI - CORRECT ANSWER-Mobile Community Inventory Tool
Cost-benefit analysis compares - CORRECT ANSWER-The value of all benefits to all
associated costs associated with tree management.
Street tree planting goals - CORRECT ANSWER-Planting in all available spaces;
planting a diverse range of species; equalizing the number of trees in neighborhoods
across the city.
Three main factors to consider when selecting tree species for planting at a site -
CORRECT ANSWER-1) Site factors, including environmental constraints (soil, climate,
slope, elevation) and cultural constraints (existing utilities, structures, surface cover,
pollution); 2) Economic factors, including establishment, maintenance, and removal
costs; 3) Social factors, including aesthetics, functions, negative characteristics (e.g.
messy fruit), public safety, and neighborhood and community values.
Desired qualities for a tree species that will be planted in the narrow space between the
curb and sidewalk - CORRECT ANSWER-Produces minimal litter, develops minimal
basal flare, not prone to developing large surface roots, mature trunk diameter less than
2/3rds the width of the planting strip.
