California CSLB C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor Examination

A C-49 contractor measures a tree trunk circumference of 62.8 inches at 4.5 feet above grade. What is the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)?

• A15.7 inches DBH.
• B18.5 inches DBH.
• C22.0 inches DBH.
• D20.0 inches DBH.

An estimator plans to apply 2.0 lbs of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft over a 5,000 sq ft root zone using a 20-5-10 fertilizer. How much fertilizer product is required?

• A25 lbs of fertilizer.
• B10 lbs of fertilizer.
• C100 lbs of fertilizer.
• D50 lbs of fertilizer.

What is the estimated green weight of a cylindrical Coast Live Oak log section with a radius of 1.0 ft and length of 10.0 ft, assuming green oak weighs 50 lbs/cu ft?

• A1,250 lbs green weight.
• B3,140 lbs green weight.
• C2,000 lbs green weight.
• D1,570 lbs green weight.

Under California Government Code §4216, what is the mandatory minimum advance notice required when contacting Regional Notification Centers (USA North 811)?

• A24 hours prior.
• B48 hours prior.
• C5 business days.
• D2 working days.

Which document is required by CSLB under Business and Professions Code §7159 for residential tree work exceeding in total cost?

• AStandard Commercial Invoice.
• BVerbal Work Authorization.
• CPreliminary Notice of Lien.
• DHome Improvement Contract.

How many cubic yards of organic wood mulch are needed to cover a 3,000 sq ft tree root zone to a uniform depth of 3 inches?

• A14.2 cubic yards.
• B36.0 cubic yards.
• C8.5 cubic yards.
• D27.8 cubic yards.

When conducting a pre-bid site assessment for mature palm tree removals, what factor most impacts heavy equipment selection?

• ATurf color and species.
• BOverhead utility lines.
• CFoliage nitrogen level.
• DSite slope and access.

Which classification under CSLB regulations allows a contractor to perform specialized commercial tree trimming and palm maintenance?

• AClass C-27 Landscape.
• BClass C-10 Electrical.
• CClass A Engineering.
• DClass C-49 Tree/Palm.

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pre-operational hazard evaluation before estimating a high-risk hazard tree removal?

• ADetermine wood sales price.
• BSelect landscape fertilizer.
• CChoose ground cover turf.
• DIdentify structural risks.

When estimating labor costs, what does the term 'labor burden' encompass for a tree service contracting business?

• ADirect hourly wages.
• BChainsaw fuel expenses.
• CDump truck purchase price.
• DMandatory payroll taxes.

What is the estimated total weight of a Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) trunk section 20 ft long with an average diameter of 2.0 ft, assuming 60 lbs/cu ft?

• A2,400 lbs total weight.
• B1,885 lbs total weight.
• C5,200 lbs total weight.
• D3,770 lbs total weight.

Which municipal authorization must a contractor verify prior to removing a designated heritage oak tree in California?

• ACal/OSHA Tree Permit.
• BRegional Water Permit.
• CState Forestry License required.
• DCity Tree Removal Permit.

An estimator calculates a job requiring 40 total crew hours. If the direct labor rate is $30/hr, labor burden is 40%, and overhead is 20%, what is the break-even labor cost?

• A$1,680 total labor cost.
• B$1,200 total labor cost.
• C$2,400 total labor cost.
• D$2,016 total labor cost.

What soil testing metric best determines whether elemental sulfur must be added during pre-planting soil preparation for acid-loving trees?

• ASoil cation exchange.
• BSoil organic matter.
• CSoil bulk density.
• DSoil pH level.

During a site survey, a contractor observes co-dominant stems with included bark on a mature Eucalyptus. How does this affect work planning?

• ARequires tree topping.
• BIncreases growth rate.
• CIndicates high failure risk.
• DEliminates rigging needs entirely.

When estimating a stump grinding project, what volume of soil/mulch backfill is generated from grinding a 48-inch stump to a depth of 12 inches?

• A10.5 cubic feet.
• B24.0 cubic feet.
• C35.2 cubic feet.
• D15.7 cubic feet.

Which site condition requires a C-49 contractor to revise an estimate to include hand-trenching or pneumatic air-excavation around tree roots?

• AProximity to utilities.
• BHigh wind exposure.
• CSandy soil profile.
• DLow light conditions only.

What is the primary benefit of including a clear scope of work and change order clause in a commercial tree maintenance contract?

• AGuarantees insurance payout.
• BWaives Cal/OSHA standards.
• CEliminates permit requirements.
• DPrevents scope disputes.

An estimator plans water delivery for establishing 10 transplanted mature palms requiring 50 gallons each twice per week. What is the monthly water demand?

• A2,000 gallons per month.
• B1,000 gallons per month.
• C4,000 gallons per month.
• D8,000 gallons per month.

Which soil physical property most directly influences drainage capacity and aeration in a proposed tree planting site?

• ASoil organic nitrogen.
• BSoil microbial population.
• CSoil electrical conductivity.
• DSoil texture and compaction.

What is the recommended root ball box size multiplier relative to trunk DBH when ordering specimen container trees per ANSI A300 Part 6?

• A4 to 6 inches box/inch DBH.
• B15 to 20 inches box/inch DBH.
• C2 to 3 inches box/inch DBH.
• D10 to 12 inches box/inch DBH.

When estimating utility right-of-way pruning, what factor determines the mandatory clearance distance around primary high-voltage lines?

• ATree canopy density.
• BChainsaw bar length.
• CBark thickness type.
• DLine voltage rating.

Per ANSI A300 Part 6, what is the required width of a tree planting hole relative to the root ball diameter?

• AEqual to root ball width.
• B1.5 times root ball width.
• C2 to 3 times root ball width.
• D4 to 5 times root ball width.

What is the proper rigging placement when crane-lifting a mature boxed Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm)?

• ARig only around top fronds.
• BRig directly to lower trunk.
• CRig only around apical bud.
• DRig beneath box/root ball.

Where should tree support stakes be positioned when securing a newly planted 15-gallon broadleaf tree?

• AInside the nursery root ball.
• BDirectly against main trunk.
• COutside the root ball edge.
• DCrossed through upper canopy.

What is the critical rule regarding planting depth for container-grown and B&B trees under ANSI A300 Part 6?

• ARoot flare at finished grade.
• BRoot flare 4 inches deep.
• CRoot flare 6 inches high.
• DRoot flare below soil line only.

What is the recommended procedure for backfilling a newly excavated tree planting hole?

• ATamp backfill with heavy boots.
• BPack backfill with a tamper.
• CMix 50% gravel into backfill.
• DWater backfill in layers.

Why are palm fronds tied upward around the central growing tip (bud) during transplanting?

• APromote rapid flower development.
• BPrevent frond drop after planting.
• CProtect apical bud from drying.
• DReduce total root water uptake.

What action should be taken if circling container-bound roots are discovered during tree installation?

• ALeave roots undisturbed in hole.
• BCut or shaved root outer edge.
• CCover roots with extra mulch.
• DApply high-nitrogen root fertilizer.

Modern ANSI A300 Part 6 guidelines recommend which soil backfill composition for landscape tree planting?

• A100% organic potting mix.
• B50% peat moss and sand.
• CUnamended native excavated soil.
• DPure compost backfill mix entirely.

When planting specimen trees in heavy clay soils with poor drainage, what installation modification is recommended?

• ADig planting hole twice deep.
• BFill hole bottom with gravel.
• CCompact bottom of planting hole.
• DPlant tree 2-4 inches higher.

What is the proper mulching procedure around a newly installed palm or broadleaf tree?

• APiling mulch against trunk flare.
• BApplying 2-4 in mulch off trunk.
• CApplying 8-10 in mulch to crown.
• DOmitting mulch over root zone.

Under ANSI A300 Part 1, where must the final pruning cut be made when removing a lateral branch?

• AFlush against main trunk.
• BLeaving 6-inch branch stub.
• CMidway along branch bark collar.
• DJust outside branch bark collar.

What is the maximum percentage of live foliage that may be removed from a mature tree in a single growing season under ANSI A300?

• A25 percent maximum foliage.
• B40 percent maximum foliage.
• C50 percent maximum foliage.
• D15 percent maximum foliage.

According to ANSI A300 Part 1 palm pruning standards, which fronds should NEVER be pruned from a healthy palm?

• AFronds showing severe yellowing.
• BDead brown hanging fronds.
• CFronds above horizontal line.
• DFronds carrying fruit clusters.

What is the proper method for executing a crown reduction cut on a large scaffold branch per ANSI A300?

• ACut to any convenient length.
• BCut back to a 1/2 lateral.
• CCut back to a 1/3 lateral.
• DTop main branch completely.

What structural defect results from removing all interior lateral branches while leaving foliage only at branch tips ('lion's tailing')?

• AAccelerated trunk growth.
• BImproved canopy wind resistance.
• CEnd-weight leverage failure.
• DIncreased sap production.

Why is the practice of tree topping explicitly prohibited under professional ANSI A300 pruning standards?

• ATopping causes wood rot.
• BTopping increases root growth.
• CTopping reduces leaf count.
• DTopping strengthens limbs.

What pathogen sanitation step is mandatory when pruning palms susceptible to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum)?

• APaint all cuts with oil paint.
• BSanitize tools between trees.
• CWash fronds with soap water.
• DFlame-treat palm leaf tips.

Where should flexible steel cables be installed when implementing a tree support system per ANSI A300 Part 3?

• A1/3 distance above crotch.
• BAt middle of crotch union.
• C2/3 distance above crotch.
• DAt outer branch tips.

When performing structural pruning on young broadleaf trees, what is the primary objective?

• ACreate dense outer foliage.
• BRemove bottom all branches.
• CEstablish central leader.
• DReduce total tree height.

What is the standard procedure for performing a 3-cut branch removal on a heavy limb to prevent bark tearing?

• AUndercut, top cut, collar cut.
• BTop cut, undercut, stub cut.
• CFlush cut, undercut, top cut only.
• DSide cut, top cut, flush cut.

Which nutrient deficiency symptom is characterized by yellowing of interveinal leaf tissue while veins remain dark green on young foliage?

• ANitrogen deficiency.
• BIron chlorosis deficiency.
• CPotassium deficiency.
• DPhosphorus deficiency only.

When root pruning near hardscape, what is the maximum root diameter that should be severed under ANSI A300 Part 8 guidelines?

• AAvoid cutting roots > 2 inches.
• BCut any roots up to 6 inches only.
• CSever all roots at curb line.
• DCut roots directly at trunk.

What is the primary maintenance requirement for a tree lightning protection system installed per ANSI A300 Part 4?

• AAnnual ground resistance check.
• BMonthly conductor oiling.
• CReplacing air terminal yearly only.
• DPainting copper cables black.

What time of year is recommended for major pruning of native Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) in California to minimize Goldspotted Oak Borer and disease risk?

• ADry summer period.
• BEarly spring bloom.
• CWarm wet winter.
• DLate spring growth.