8. PRUNING WORKBOOK

Question 1

True/False – Poor pruning practices can shorten the life of a tree and increase the likelihood of structural failure.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

True/False – In the absence of included bark, the size of a branch in relation to the trunk is more important for branch attachment strength than the attachment angle.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

True/False – Tree wound dressings accelerate wound closure and prevent decay.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

True/False – Arborists should be aware that removing or disturbing active bird nests, especially of protected species, is illegal in many locations.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True/False – Trees that tend to ‘bleed’ should never be pruned in early spring because it can cause a major decline in vigor.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

True/False – As a general rule, mature trees are less tolerant of heavy pruning than juvenile trees.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Name five objectives for pruning trees.

Answer 7

• Improving structure
• Reducing risk
• Providing clearance
• Managing crown size
• Crown density

Question 8

The majority of pruning by most arborists follows a ____ pruning system.

Answer 8

Natural

Question 9

If two branches (stems) develop at the tip of the same stem, they may form ____ stems.

Answer 9

Codominant

Question 10

____ bark is bark that becomes enclosed inside the attachment as two branches grow and develop.

Answer 10

Included

Question 11

When training young trees, a dominant leader should be selected and competing leaders should be removed or ____.

Answer 11

Subordinated

Question 12

When practical, temporary lower branches should be left on a young tree to help develop trunk ____.

Answer 12

Taper

Question 13

Removing too much foliage can have adverse effects on a tree, resulting in the production of ____ on interior branches, which is often a tree’s reaction to overpruning.

Answer 13

Water sprouts

Question 14

The swollen area at the base of a branch where it arises from the trunk is called the ____.

Answer 14

Branch collar

Question 15

A ____ cut removes the larger of two or more branches, stems, or codominant stems to a live lateral branch or stem. Cutting Large branch down to a small

Answer 15

Reduction

Question 16

____ are substances, usually effective in small quantities, that enhance or alter the growth and development of a plant. (Antigibberellins)

Answer 16

Plant Growth Regulators

Question 17

When pruning young trees, it’s important to train for a dominant leader and well-spaced scaffold branches to:

a. minimize the need for future pruning
b. develop a structurally sound crown
c. minimuze codominant branching on the trunk
d. all of the above

Answer 17

d) All of the above

Question 18

To prune trees that flower on the previous year’s growth and maximize flowering, you should prune:

Answer 18

b) Shortly after flowering

Question 19

When pruning a branch from a tree, the final cut should be:

Answer 19

d) Just outside the branch collar

Question 20

When it comes to pruning, as a rule, mature trees are:

Answer 20

c) Not as tolerant of severe pruning as young trees

Question 21

If the height of a tree must be reduced, branches should be cut to a lateral one-third or more the diameter of the branch removed. True/False

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Specifications for pruning should be written in accordance with the American National Standards Institute) _____________

Answer 22

ANSI A300

Question 23

________ is a training system that involves severe heading cuts the first year followed by sprout removal annually or every few years to maintain a desired size or appearance.

Answer 23

Pollarding

Question 24

The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken, or weakly attached branches. It also includes the identification and removal of structural defects.

Answer 24

Structural Pruning

Question 25

Formed by overlapping and intermingled branch and trunk wood and is often representative of a strong union.

Answer 25

Branch Collar

Question 26

Pruning cut that removes a branch or stem between nodes (leaving a stub), to a bud, or to a live branch that is less than one-third the diameter of the stem being removed

Answer 26

Heading Cut

Question 27

Chemically and physically modified tissue within the trunk or parent branch at the base of a smaller, subordinate branch that slows the spread of discoloration and decay from the subordinate stem into the trunk or parent branch.

Answer 27

Branch Protection Zone

Question 28

Branches that will be left in place for the life of the tree, often forming the initial scaffold framework of the tree.

Answer 28

Permanent Branches

Question 29

Branches (generally lower branches) that are left in place or subordianted but will be removed later

Answer 29

Temporary Branches

Question 30

Permanent Branches that form the scaffold or structure of the tree

Answer 30

Scaffold Branches

Question 31

Pruning that can improve structure and appearance. Meant to restore the crown structure by removing watersprouts, stubs and dead branches. Usually performed after storm damage

Answer 31

Crown Restoration

Question 32

Cutting leaves, sprouts and branches to a desired plane, shape, or form, as within a topiary system. Typically performed on shrubs.

Answer 32

Shearing

Question 33

Pruning to reduce interference with people, activities, infrastructure, and buildings.

Answer 33

Clearance pruning

Question 34

Selective removal of branches to guide and/or discourage growth in a particular direction.

Answer 34

Directional Pruning

Question 35

A secondary or subordinate branch or root

Answer 35

Lateral

Question 36

Consists of an undercut and a top cut on the branch, then a final cut to remove the stub after the branch has been removed. Top cut is performed directly above the bottom cut.

Answer 36

Drop Cut (rigging)

Question 37

The space created by a saw cut (the width of the chain or blade)

Answer 37

Kerf

Question 38

Cutting technique in which offset, bypassing cuts are made so that a section can be broken off easily.

Answer 38

Snap cut (bypass cut)

Question 39

In a snap cut, the second cut, also known as the back cut, is made ?

Answer 39

Opposite and slightly above the first cut.

Question 40

Pruning stimulates the growth of buds in ________ by disrupting apical dominance. When the growing tip is removed, the suppression caused by auxins is lifted, allowing cytokinins to activate dormant buds and promote lateral growth

Answer 40

Angiosperms

Question 41

Plant hormone that plays a critical role in the growth and development of trees. It is primarily produced in the apical meristems (growing tips) of shoots and roots

Answer 41

Auxin

Question 42

Reduction cuts larger than _______in diameter should be avoided on species that are poor compartmentalizers. a. 1 inch (2.5 cm) b. 2 inches (5 cm) c. 3 inches (7.5 cm) d. 4 inches (10 cm)

Answer 42

d. 4 inches (10 cm)

Question 43

What pruning system does the shearing cut belong to? a. Espallier b. Topiary c. Natural d. Pleaching

Answer 43

b. Topiary

Question 44

________ is typically used to create a dense crown by stimulating growth from dormant and adventitious buds.

Answer 44

Shearing

Question 45

Pruning cut that removes the smaller of two stems at their union, such as the removal of a branch from the trunk.

Answer 45

Branch Removal Cut

Question 46

As a general guidline, plant growth is maximized if pruning is done just before the ____ ______, in late winter or early spring.

Answer 46

Buds Swell

Question 47

When using the three-cut method, the first cut begins __ to __inches away from the branch union.

Answer 47

6 to 12inches

Question 48

Branches that are too large to be supported by had should be removed using the _____-___ ______.

Answer 48

Three-cut method