Alabama Erosion Control and Mowing Contractor Examination

When planting a balled-and-burlapped tree, how wide should the planting hole generally be relative to the root ball?

• AEqual to the root-ball diameter
• BAt least twice the root-ball diameter
• CFour times the root-ball diameter on all sides
• DNo wider than half the root-ball diameter

Where should the root flare of a newly planted tree be positioned relative to finished grade?

• ASeveral inches below finished grade and covered with soil
• BAt or slightly above finished grade
• CSix inches below grade with extra topsoil over the trunk
• DBuried until only the lowest branch is visible

When installing a B&B tree, what should be done with synthetic burlap or plastic twine around the root ball?

• ALeave all wrapping materials intact for the first year
• BRemove or cut away non-biodegradable wrappings from the top and sides after the ball is s…
• CBurn the burlap in place to free the roots
• DCover the wrapping completely with at least 12 inches of soil

What is the preferred mulch depth over the root zone of a newly planted landscape tree, excluding the trunk?

• ALess than 1/2 inch
• BAbout 2 to 3 inches
• C8 to 10 inches piled against the trunk
• D12 inches of soil mixed with mulch over the flare

On a sloping planting site, what simple feature helps keep irrigation water over a new tree's root zone?

• AA low soil berm or watering ring on the downhill side
• BA concrete curb sealed to the trunk
• CA deep trench cut through the root ball
• DComplete removal of all surface mulch

When is staking of a newly planted tree generally recommended?

• AAlways for every tree regardless of size or site
• BOnly when the tree cannot stand upright in expected winds or has a weak root-to-shoot bal…
• CNever, because staking always kills trees
• DOnly after the tree has been in the ground for two years

Which backfill practice is generally recommended for most landscape tree plantings in native soil?

• ABackfill with pure sand regardless of site soil
• BBackfill primarily with the excavated native soil, amending only as specified
• CBackfill only with pure peat moss
• DLeave the hole half empty to promote air pruning

What is the primary purpose of root pruning or scoring circling roots on a container-grown shrub before planting?

• ATo reduce the need for water forever
• BTo encourage outward root growth and prevent girdling
• CTo kill the plant so a larger one can be installed later
• DTo eliminate the need for mulch

During the establishment period, how should irrigation of a newly planted tree typically be applied?

• AA light daily mist only on foliage
• BDeep, infrequent watering that moistens the entire root ball and adjacent soil
• CNo water for the first 60 days
• DFlooding the trunk flare continuously

Which pruning cut is preferred when removing a branch from a landscape tree?

• AA flush cut that removes the branch collar
• BA cut just outside the branch collar that leaves the collar intact
• CLeaving a long stub of several feet
• DTearing the branch downward without a cut

Bare-root trees and shrubs should generally be planted when they are:

• AIn full leaf during midsummer heat
• BDormant, typically in the cooler season before bud break
• CFlowering heavily in spring
• DOnly after complete desiccation of the roots

What is a common cause of shrub failure shortly after installation on poorly drained clay sites?

• APlanting too high with the root ball fully exposed
• BPlanting in a hole that holds water and drowns roots
• CUsing only native soil as backfill on all sites
• DApplying 2 inches of mulch away from stems

Guy wires or staking ties should be attached so that they:

• AGirdle the trunk tightly with bare wire
• BUse flexible straps or padded ties that allow slight trunk movement
• CWrap steel cable directly into the bark for maximum hold
• DRemain permanently for the life of the tree

Which practice best protects tree roots during grading near existing trees that will be retained?

• AStockpiling fill soil against trunks to the first branches
• BEstablishing a tree protection zone and avoiding fill or cuts under the canopy when possi…
• CSevering all surface roots to make grading easier
• DCompacting the root zone with heavy equipment for a firm subgrade

For most ornamental shrubs, the planting hole depth should be:

• ADeep enough that half the plant is buried
• BNo deeper than the root ball so the top of the ball is at grade
• CAlways 24 inches deeper than the container
• DDeep enough to cover the lowest branches with soil

What is the main reason to avoid “mulch volcanoes” piled against tree trunks?

• AThey make the site look too formal
• BThey hold moisture against bark, encourage pests, and can cause rooting into the mulch
• CThey reduce the need for irrigation too much
• DThey permanently sterilize the soil

When transplanting a large tree with a root ball, the root ball should be:

• AAs small as possible to reduce weight regardless of tree size
• BLarge enough relative to trunk caliper to include an adequate portion of the root system
• CAlways exactly 6 inches in diameter
• DRemoved completely so only bare roots are planted

Anti-desiccant sprays on evergreen transplants are used primarily to:

• AReplace the need for soil moisture entirely
• BReduce water loss from foliage during establishment stress
• CKill insects living in the canopy
• DIncrease soil pH around the roots

Which statement best describes guy-wire anchorage for large trees?

• AAnchors should be set shallow so they pull free easily
• BAnchors must be secure in firm soil and angled to resist expected load
• CAnchors should only attach to turf with landscape staples
• DAnchors are unnecessary if the tree is taller than 20 feet

After planting, wrapping a thin-barked tree trunk is sometimes specified to:

• AIncrease trunk girth growth rate permanently
• BProtect bark from sunscald or mechanical injury during establishment
• CEliminate the need for any mulch
• DForce the tree into early dormancy every summer

Which warm-season turfgrass is most commonly used on high-traffic athletic fields and many commercial lawns in Alabama?

• AKentucky bluegrass as a permanent warm-season stand
• BBermudagrass
• CCreeping bentgrass as a permanent full-sun lawn
• DAnnual bluegrass as a permanent summer turf

Centipedegrass in Alabama is generally best adapted to soils that are:

• AStrongly alkaline with frequent heavy liming
• BAcidic to slightly acidic, often without routine liming unless a soil test requires it
• CSaturated wetland soils only
• DHigh-salt coastal flats only

What is the primary purpose of mulching newly seeded slopes?

• ATo permanently replace vegetation
• BTo protect seed and soil from raindrop impact and reduce erosion while seedlings establish
• CTo raise soil pH above 8.0
• DTo prevent all water from reaching the seed

Hydroseeding is best described as:

• AApplying seed, mulch fiber, water, and often tackifier as a slurry
• BLaying only solid sod without any seed
• CInjecting fertilizer directly into tree trunks
• DMowing turf with water-powered reels

When installing sod on a prepared bed, the first critical step after laying the pieces is typically to:

• ALeave gaps of several inches between pieces for expansion
• BRoll or tamp for soil contact and begin timely irrigation
• CCover the sod completely with 6 inches of topsoil
• DWithhold all water for two weeks

Mowing height for most bermudagrass lawns is generally maintained:

• AMuch taller than cool-season fescue home lawns in all cases
• BRelatively low compared with many cool-season lawns, following cultivar recommendations
• CAt 6 to 8 inches only
• DBy scalping to the soil surface weekly

What is a key advantage of vegetative ground covers on steep slopes compared with bare soil?

• AThey eliminate all need for initial erosion controls during establishment
• BRoot systems and canopy intercept rainfall and bind soil against erosion
• CThey always require more irrigation than turf forever
• DThey permanently increase runoff velocity

Temporary winter cover on warm-season turf areas in Alabama is commonly established by:

• AOverseeding with annual ryegrass when warm-season turf is dormant or going dormant
• BPlanting only Kentucky bluegrass as a permanent replacement in all regions
• CApplying rock salt to green the dormant lawn
• DBurning the thatch layer monthly

Before seeding a disturbed area for permanent grass cover, the surface should generally be:

• ALeft as hard-packed subsoil for easy equipment travel
• BRough-graded, amended as needed, and finished to a seedbed that allows seed-to-soil conta…
• CCovered with plastic sheeting permanently
• DFlooded to form a permanent pond

Erosion control blankets on slopes are installed primarily to:

• AReplace the need for any vegetation permanently
• BProtect soil and seed from erosion until vegetation establishes
• CIncrease sheet flow velocity down the slope
• DPrevent all infiltration of rainfall

St. Augustinegrass is generally a better choice than bermudagrass when the site has:

• ADeep shade and higher salt exposure where St. Augustine is adapted
• BOnly full sun and extreme traffic with no irrigation
• CAlpine cold winters above 5,000 feet elevation
• DPermanent standing water year-round

When mowing along highway rights-of-way for vegetation management, a primary erosion-related goal is to:

• ARemove all living plant cover down to bare soil on slopes
• BMaintain vegetative cover that protects soil while meeting sight-distance and safety requ…
• CApply soil sterilants to every shoulder annually
• DCut only trees and leave all turf unmowed forever

Sprigging or plugging warm-season turf is used when:

• ASeed is unavailable or cultivars are established vegetatively
• BThe goal is instant full cover identical to mature sod in one day
• CThe soil is permanently frozen
• DNo soil contact is desired

A common rule for mowing frequency is to remove no more than about how much of the leaf blade at one mowing?

• ANo more than about one-third of the leaf height
• BAlways half or more of the plant in one cut
• CThe entire plant down to crowns every pass
• DOnly flower heads, never leaf tissue

Why is nurse or companion seed sometimes included in a permanent warm-season seeding mix for disturbed sites?

• ATo permanently replace the intended warm-season species
• BTo provide quick temporary cover while slower permanent species establish
• CTo sterilize the seedbed
• DTo guarantee no vegetation will grow

Zoysiagrass is often selected for lawns because it:

• AGrows well in deep shade under dense oaks with no sun
• BForms a dense, wear-tolerant warm-season turf that is slower growing once established
• CIs a cool-season grass requiring weekly overseeding in summer
• DRequires permanently saturated soil

On a newly seeded highway embankment, which combination best supports establishment and erosion control?

• ASeed alone on smooth hardpan with no mulch
• BProper seedbed, appropriate seed mix, mulch or blanket, and temporary runoff controls
• COnly plastic sheeting left permanently
• DDaily disking of the slope after seeding

Tackifiers are added to hydroseed or mulch applications mainly to:

• AKill all germinating seedlings
• BHelp mulch and seed adhere to the soil surface against wind and rain
• CRaise soil salinity to desert levels
• DReplace fertilizer permanently

Which mowing practice most increases erosion risk on a vegetated slope?

• AMaintaining a uniform vegetative canopy at the recommended height
• BScalping the slope to bare soil and exposing the surface
• CMowing when turf is dry enough for safe equipment operation
• DFollowing the one-third rule on each pass

Ground cover plantings used for erosion control should be installed with attention to:

• ASpacing that allows plants to knit together into continuous cover
• BMaximum spacing so soil remains bare for years
• CPlanting only on the north face of buildings regardless of slope
• DComplete avoidance of any mulch between plants

Fertilizer applied at establishment of seeded turf should generally be based on:

• AGuesswork from last year's project only
• BSoil test recommendations and seedbed needs
• CThe highest nitrogen rate available regardless of species
• DDaily applications of pure phosphorus on all soils

Which condition most favors successful germination of grass seed?

• ASeed sitting on hard crust with no moisture
• BGood seed-to-soil contact with adequate moisture and favorable temperature
• CBurial deeper than 6 inches for all small seed
• DComplete darkness under 2 feet of mulch

For temporary cover on a construction slope that will be inactive for several months, which approach is most appropriate?

• ALeave bare soil with no protection
• BApply temporary seeding and/or mulch per the erosion-control plan
• CApply only motor oil to waterproof the slope
• DCompact the surface until it sheds all water onto the neighbor

Dormant seeding of warm-season grasses is typically timed so that:

• ASeed germinates immediately in freezing weather
• BSeed is in place to germinate when soil temperatures become favorable in spring
• CSeed is applied only at midday in August heat with no mulch
• DSeed is mixed into concrete

Which statement about thatch in turf is most accurate for maintenance and erosion control?

• AA thin organic layer can be normal; excessive thatch can impede water infiltration and mo…
• BThatch should always be 6 inches thick for best growth
• CThatch is pure mineral sand and never organic
• DThatch only forms under plastic mulch

In landscape grading for drainage, the finished surface around a building should generally:

• ASlope toward the foundation to collect water
• BSlope away from the foundation to direct water off the structure
• CBe perfectly level with no fall in any direction
• DForm a basin that holds water against the wall

A swale in landscape grading is primarily used to:

• AStore hazardous waste
• BConvey surface runoff in a shallow, vegetated channel
• CIncrease soil compaction under trees
• DRaise building foundations