ISA test question......

[utlarb4trees]

Hey Buzzers, I just took my ISA exam yesterday in Rochester, NY and there was a question I have been pondering... I do not remember the question verbatim, yet it was along the lines of weed cultivation in nursery fields and how it affects nursery stock? there were two choices I was on the fence about: 1) excess soil accumulating over the root zone or 2) beneficial root pruning. I have researched this a bit and the only info I have found is weed cultivation can destroy soil structure, depending on how heavy the equipment is. I thought sure! constant weed control takes exhaustive measures, a heavy tractor up and down the furrows with a hoe implement could really cause all three things I guess? Compacted soil, excess soil over the root zone, and some root pruning (beneficial, not sure?)
Some info please... And to update an older post about tree ID, no more tree ID.

 

[UrbanTC]

What do you mean, no more tree ID?

 

[utlarb4trees]

no more visual tree ID templates, questions are integrated into the exam, general dendrology questions id'ing types of leaves, shapes, tips, bases etc. I had questions about bundle scars, samaras, drupes, flowers, types of leaf: palmately compound, pinnately compound...generally very easy questions. Although I went to the exam expecting to ID some trees. I downloaded the NY tree list maybe 3 or 4 mos ago and there are over 50 trees I studied in and out, so I was a bit disappointed.

 

[AspenArbo]

The answer is excess soil, or in other words the trees can come from the nursery planted too deep. That is what they were looking for, based on your description.

 

[utlarb4trees]

Thanks for clarifying that, of course that was my first choice. Yet, I changed it. Your explanation makes total sense.

 

[guymayor]

Sounds like an example of one being "more right" than the other.

 

[NickfromWI]

I don't understand the question. How does the presence of weeds = more soil in nursery trees?

 

[jmcscrap]

Nick, when the cultivator (tractor) makes a pass - soil is disturbed, often moving from the middle of the row towards the tree over the root system. For trees that will be dug bareroot, this isn't a problem as all the soil is removed. A tree that will be B&B is a different matter, as all the soil leaves with the tree. Hope that makes sense!