Installation and Transplanting

Question 1

You are planting a #15 (15 gallon) tree in a landscape. Assuming that the tree is not capable of standing on its own, which of the following methods would be most appropriate to provide support?

rigid staking

bracing

cabling

non-rigid staking

guying

Answer 1

non-rigid staking

Question 2

True or False

Tree roots may suffocate if the tree receives too much water after planting.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

If you are installing a #15 (15 gallon) tree in a landscape, how wide should the planting hole be?

2-3 times as wide as the root ball.

1 foot wider than the root ball.

1 inch wider than the root ball.

6 feet as wide as the root ball.

Answer 3

2-3 times as wide as the root ball.

Question 4

Placing gravel in the bottom of the planting hole in a clay soil site will:

restrict soil space and create a perched water table

improve drainage

prevent the formation of girdling roots

improve aeration and water infiltration

Answer 4

restrict soil space and create a perched water table

Question 5

True or False

If trees have wire baskets to help maintain the integrity of the root ball, these baskets should never be removed, nor should the top portion be cut off at planting.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

What is the best material to backfill the planting hole with?

sand

potting soil

Native soil

compost

a mix of soil and compost

Answer 6

Native soil

Question 7

The most important reason to prune a tree when transplanting is to:

reduce growth at the tips

compensate for root loss

remove structurally weak or damaged branches

invigorate the tree

Answer 7

remove structurally weak or damaged branches

Question 8

If you are planting a #15 (15 gallon) tree in a landscape, how deep should the planting hole be?

6 feet

3 feet

6 inches

deep enough to cover the root ball with soil

as deep as the root ball

Answer 8

as deep as the root ball

Question 9

True or False

If you want to keep a tree smaller or slow the growth of the tree, planting it without removing the pot is an effective and appropriate way to accomplish this.

Answer 9

False

Question 10

The most important maintenance factor in the survival of a newly planted tree is proper ________________.

Watering

Pruning

Fertilization

Mulching

Answer 10

Watering

Question 11

True or False

In general, palms are easy to transplant.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Transplant shock is mainly due to _______________ stress from the greatly reduced root system.

mineral

disease

water

food

Answer 12

Water

Question 13

When transplanting a tree, the root ball should be ______ to _______ inches diameter for every inch of tree caliper.

24-36

5-6

10-12

1-2

Answer 13

10-12

Question 14

Pre-digging to create a more densely rooted ball before transplanting is called _____________________.

damaging the roots

crimes against horticulture

root stimulation

root pruning

Answer 14

root pruning

Question 15

When is the best time to transplant a palm in Southern California?

January

September

June

November

Answer 15

June

Question 16

True or False

When planting a tree, you should place soft fill in the bottom of the planting hole to encourage taproot growth.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

True or False

Most of the new roots generated after planting will grow horizontally, and near the soil surface.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

The number of stakes needed to support the trunk appropriately for non-rigid staking is:

three

one

two

Answer 18

Two

Question 19

When you are installing non-rigid stakes on a young tree, placing the tree ties at this height will provide the most appropriate level of support for the tree:

3 feet above the ground

4.5 feet above the ground

6” to 1’ above where the trunk stands straight when you hold it

where the first branches emerge from the trunk

6 feet above the ground

Answer 19

6” to 1’ above where the trunk stands straight when you hold it

Question 20

True or False

There is no advantage to pruning one-third of the tree crown at the time of planting.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

In areas where the soil is heavy clay, plant trees with the rootball ______ to _______
inches higher than the original grade.

8-9

5-6

2-3

Answer 21

2-3

Question 22

Planting a row of palms at various depths to create a row of uniform height:

can lead to the death of deeply planted palms.

is recommended to achieve rooting in sandy soils.

will not be harmful as long as the soil is sandy and well drained.

is acceptable due to the deep rooting of palms.

Answer 22

can lead to the death of deeply planted palms.

Question 23

Which is the best material to use for tree ties for non-rigid staking?

Green Nursery Tape

Rope

Wire

Metal supports

Rubber

Answer 23

Rubber

Question 24

True or False

Tree roots may suffocate if the tree receives too much water after planting.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

True or False

Research has shown that soil amendments generally do not assist the tree in establishment and growth.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

True or False

Digging a tree for transplanting can remove as much as 90% of the absorbing roots.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Will a #15 (15 gallon) size tree always need staking when it is installed in a landscape?

Answer 27

No

Question 28

Which of the following are adverse effects of staking? Select all that apply.

Uneven wood and taper development.

Girdling if left in place too long

Trunk can get too strong

Wounding of trunk or branches

Less root development

Answer 28

Uneven wood and taper development.

Girdling if left in place too long

Wounding of trunk or branches

Less root development

Question 29

Root pruning can be an effective way of increasing absorbing roots when transplanting trees, but it must be done a minimum of __________________ in advance to be effective.

one year

six months

three months

one week

one month

Answer 29

Three months