Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

A key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance is adhering to a 'Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard.' This refers to established best practices, guidelines, and industry benchmarks that ensure consistent quality, health, and appearance of landscapes. Following these standards prevents guesswork, promotes efficiency, and ensures the long-term vitality of turf and ornamental plants.

Question 2: What is the recommended planting depth for a balled-and-burlapped tree?

Center of root ball at grade
Top of burlap at grade
Root flare 6 inches below grade
Root flare at or slightly above grade (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Root flare at or slightly above grade

The root flare (where trunk transitions to roots) should be at or slightly above finished grade to prevent girdling, crown rot, and decline.

Question 3: Micronutrient deficiencies often become apparent first in:

Roots
Older lower leaves
New growth (young leaves) (Correct answer)
Stems

Correct answer: New growth (young leaves)

Micronutrients like iron and manganese are immobile in plants, so deficiency symptoms appear first in new, young growth.

Question 4: Which document is used to formally transfer property care responsibilities to a landscape contractor?

Purchase order
Invoice
Scope of work / service contract (Correct answer)
Work order

Correct answer: Scope of work / service contract

A scope of work or service contract outlines all agreed-upon services, schedule, exclusions, pricing, and responsibilities, forming the legal basis of the business relationship.

Question 5: Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when spraying pesticides typically includes:

Chemically resistant gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and a respirator as label-specified (Correct answer)
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Only safety glasses
A hard hat and steel-toe boots only

Correct answer: Chemically resistant gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and a respirator as label-specified

Pesticide label PPE requirements are legally mandated; typical requirements include chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear, long sleeves, and in some cases, a respirator.

Question 6: What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation over overhead sprinklers?

Lower installation cost
Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation (Correct answer)
Covers larger areas faster
Requires no filtration

Correct answer: Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation losses and reducing foliar disease risk.

Question 7: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

A 'Plant Identification & Pest Management standard' is a key concept because it ensures consistent, accurate, and effective practices in horticulture. These standards provide reliable methods for identifying plants and pests, leading to appropriate and environmentally responsible management strategies. Following them is essential for plant health and sustainable practices.

Question 8: Backflow prevention devices are required in irrigation systems to:

Prevent contaminated water from entering the potable supply (Correct answer)
Reduce clogging in drip lines
Increase water pressure
Filter sediment from sprinkler heads

Correct answer: Prevent contaminated water from entering the potable supply

Backflow preventers stop irrigation water (which may contain fertilizers or pesticides) from flowing back into the public drinking water supply.

Question 9: Job costing in a horticulture business involves:

Setting annual company budgets
Tracking actual labor and material expenses per job to compare against the estimate (Correct answer)
Estimating competitors' costs
Calculating employee bonuses

Correct answer: Tracking actual labor and material expenses per job to compare against the estimate

Job costing tracks real labor hours and material costs on each job and compares them against the estimate, revealing profitability and areas for operational improvement.

Question 10: Which employment classification describes a worker who sets their own hours, uses their own tools, and controls how work is performed?

Seasonal employee
Part-time employee
Independent contractor (Correct answer)
Full-time employee

Correct answer: Independent contractor

An independent contractor controls the means and manner of their work, uses their own tools, and is not subject to the same employer direction as employees.

Question 11: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 12: Photoperiodism refers to a plant's response to:

The relative lengths of day and night (Correct answer)
The direction of light source
The intensity of light during the day
The wavelength of light used for photosynthesis

Correct answer: The relative lengths of day and night

Photoperiodism is the physiological response to the duration of light and dark periods, controlling flowering time in many species.

Question 13: In nursery management, what does 'liner' refer to?

Plastic pot lining
Fertilizer granule coating
Weed barrier fabric
Young, rooted plant ready for transplanting to a larger container (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Young, rooted plant ready for transplanting to a larger container

A liner is a small, young rooted plant (plug or rooted cutting) used as the starting material for growing on into a finished nursery product.

Question 14: Upselling in a horticulture service business means:

Increasing prices without notice
Recommending additional relevant services that add value for the client (Correct answer)
Overcharging customers for standard services
Billing for services not performed

Correct answer: Recommending additional relevant services that add value for the client

Ethical upselling involves identifying and recommending additional services (e.g., aeration after mowing) that genuinely benefit the client and increase revenue for the business.

Question 15: An irrigation audit involves:

Inspecting fertilizer storage
Measuring precipitation rate and uniformity of an irrigation system (Correct answer)
Checking electrical panels
Reviewing plant purchase invoices

Correct answer: Measuring precipitation rate and uniformity of an irrigation system

An irrigation audit measures how much water a system applies and how uniformly, using catch cans or other methods to assess system efficiency.

Question 16: Which symptom is most characteristic of oak wilt disease?

Galls on branches and twigs
White powdery coating on leaves
Yellow mosaic pattern on foliage
Rapid wilting and bronzing of leaves starting at leaf tips, moving inward (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Rapid wilting and bronzing of leaves starting at leaf tips, moving inward

Oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) causes rapid wilting and bronzing starting at leaf margins and tips, moving inward; red oaks can die within weeks of infection.

Question 17: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance
Ignoring safety
Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 18: The 'drip line' of a tree refers to:

The path sap takes down the trunk
The outermost edge of the tree canopy projected onto the ground (Correct answer)
The irrigation emitter placement zone
Resin or sap dripping from wounds

Correct answer: The outermost edge of the tree canopy projected onto the ground

The drip line is the circular area on the ground directly below the outermost branch tips of a tree, approximating the extent of the root zone.

Question 19: A 50-lb bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer contains how many pounds of actual nitrogen?

10 lbs
5 lbs (Correct answer)
15 lbs
1 lb

Correct answer: 5 lbs

10% of 50 lbs = 5 lbs of actual nitrogen in a 50-lb bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer.

Question 20: What is a key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety?

Equipment Operation & Safety standard (Correct answer)
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Equipment Operation & Safety standard

A key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety is adhering to an 'Equipment Operation & Safety standard.' These standards encompass established protocols, procedures, and regulations designed to ensure the safe and efficient use of machinery. Following these guidelines is crucial for preventing accidents, protecting personnel, and maintaining equipment longevity, which are paramount in any operational setting.

Question 21: The term 'distribution uniformity' (DU) measures:

Root growth uniformity
How evenly water is applied across an irrigated area (Correct answer)
Soil compaction level
Fertilizer spread pattern

Correct answer: How evenly water is applied across an irrigated area

Distribution uniformity (DU) is a percentage that indicates how evenly an irrigation system applies water across the coverage area.

Question 22: Which condition describes a tree that has died while still standing upright?

Nurse log
Deadwood
Snag (Correct answer)
Widow maker

Correct answer: Snag

A snag is a standing dead tree; in arboriculture and urban forestry, snags pose hazard management concerns and are assessed for removal or retention.

Question 23: Girdling roots are a serious concern for trees because they:

Attract beneficial soil organisms
Promote excessive root depth
Wrap around the trunk and restrict water and nutrient flow as the tree grows (Correct answer)
Reduce soil compaction

Correct answer: Wrap around the trunk and restrict water and nutrient flow as the tree grows

Girdling roots encircle the trunk and progressively constrict vascular tissue as both trunk and root grow, eventually causing decline or tree death.

Question 24: The 'branch collar' is important to preserve during pruning because it:

Contains specialized tissue that seals the wound and prevents decay (Correct answer)
Is the site of new bud formation
Anchors the branch to the root system
Produces all the tree's stored food

Correct answer: Contains specialized tissue that seals the wound and prevents decay

The branch collar contains wound-closing tissue (callus) and chemical barriers that compartmentalize decay; cutting flush into it removes these defenses.

Question 25: Drip emitters are typically rated by their flow rate in:

Gallons per minute (GPM)
Gallons per hour (GPH) (Correct answer)
Liters per second (LPS)
Cubic feet per second (CFS)

Correct answer: Gallons per hour (GPH)

Drip emitters deliver water very slowly and are rated in gallons per hour (GPH), with common rates of 0.5, 1, and 2 GPH.

Question 26: What is a key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety?

Equipment Operation & Safety standard (Correct answer)
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Equipment Operation & Safety standard

Question 27: Which soil texture allows the best balance of drainage and water retention?

Silt
Clay
Sand
Loam (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Loam

Loam is a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay that provides good drainage while retaining adequate moisture and nutrients.

Question 28: General liability insurance for a landscape/horticulture business primarily covers:

Employee health benefits
Property damage or bodily injury caused to third parties during work (Correct answer)
Equipment theft or breakdown
Employee injuries on the job

Correct answer: Property damage or bodily injury caused to third parties during work

General liability insurance protects the business against claims of property damage or bodily injury to clients, bystanders, or their property during operations.

Question 29: Which pruning cut removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or a larger branch?

Thinning cut (Correct answer)
Heading cut
Stub cut
Crown reduction cut

Correct answer: Thinning cut

A thinning cut removes an entire branch back to its origin at the parent branch or trunk, improving light and air penetration without stimulating excessive regrowth.

Question 30: Tree topping is considered poor arboricultural practice primarily because it:

Creates large wounds, stimulates weak water sprouts, and accelerates decline (Correct answer)
Costs too much to perform
Makes trees grow too slowly
Removes too few branches at once

Correct answer: Creates large wounds, stimulates weak water sprouts, and accelerates decline

Topping creates large, exposed wounds prone to decay, triggers vigorous but weakly attached water sprouts, and stresses trees, often leading to structural failure and decline.

Question 31: Which fertilizer analysis number represents phosphorus content?

Third number
Second number (Correct answer)
First number
Fourth number

Correct answer: Second number

The N-P-K label lists nitrogen first, phosphorus (as P₂O₅) second, and potassium (as K₂O) third.

Question 32: C4 plants are better adapted to hot, sunny environments than C3 plants because they:

Produce higher levels of ethylene to reduce leaf temperature
Fix CO2 using a 3-carbon intermediate that is more stable at high temperatures
Concentrate CO2 around Rubisco, reducing photorespiration (Correct answer)
Open stomata at night to reduce water loss via CAM photosynthesis

Correct answer: Concentrate CO2 around Rubisco, reducing photorespiration

C4 plants use a CO2-concentrating mechanism that delivers CO2 directly to Rubisco in bundle sheath cells, greatly reducing energy-wasting photorespiration.

Question 33: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 34: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 35: A rain sensor or rain shutoff device is used in irrigation systems to:

Detect irrigation leaks
Measure soil moisture
Boost water pressure after rain
Automatically suspend irrigation during and after rainfall (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Automatically suspend irrigation during and after rainfall

Rain sensors detect rainfall and temporarily shut off the irrigation controller, preventing wasteful watering during and after rain events.

Question 36: What causes 'dry spots' in an otherwise irrigated lawn?

Over-watering adjacent zones
Poor head-to-head coverage or clogged nozzles (Correct answer)
Excess fertilizer application
Too much shade

Correct answer: Poor head-to-head coverage or clogged nozzles

Dry spots in irrigated turf typically result from inadequate head-to-head coverage, clogged nozzles, or misaligned heads creating gaps in the spray pattern.

Question 37: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Guesswork method
Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 38: In the US, which organization publishes water-efficient landscape standards relevant to CHT professionals?

ANSI/ASME
EPA WaterSense (Correct answer)
USDA NRCS
OSHA

Correct answer: EPA WaterSense

EPA WaterSense sets performance standards and certifies water-efficient irrigation products and practices widely referenced by horticulture professionals.

Question 39: Which document legally authorizes a horticulture business to apply pesticides commercially in the US?

Federal EPA permit
State pesticide applicator license/certification (Correct answer)
OSHA safety certification
Business license

Correct answer: State pesticide applicator license/certification

Each US state requires commercial pesticide applicators to hold a state-issued pesticide applicator license in the appropriate category before applying pesticides for hire.

Question 40: Which material is most commonly used for modern residential irrigation mainlines?

Cast iron
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) (Correct answer)
Copper
Galvanized steel

Correct answer: PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC pipe is the standard material for residential irrigation mainlines due to its affordability, durability, and ease of installation.

Question 41: Stratification is a seed treatment used primarily to:

Break dormancy of seeds requiring a cold, moist period (Correct answer)
Speed germination of tropical seeds
Coat seeds with fungicide
Sterilize seeds before planting

Correct answer: Break dormancy of seeds requiring a cold, moist period

Stratification mimics winter conditions by exposing seeds to cold, moist conditions to break physiological dormancy before germination.

Question 42: What is a key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety?

Skipping maintenance
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Equipment Operation & Safety standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Equipment Operation & Safety standard

Adhering to an 'Equipment Operation & Safety standard' is fundamental in any professional field, especially horticulture. These standards provide guidelines for safe and efficient use of machinery, minimizing risks of accidents and ensuring proper maintenance. Following established protocols is crucial for protecting personnel and equipment.

Question 43: When should irrigation systems be checked for efficiency?

Regularly throughout the growing season (Correct answer)
During rainy days
Annually
Only in winter

Correct answer: Regularly throughout the growing season

Irrigation systems should be checked regularly throughout the growing season to ensure they are operating efficiently and delivering water effectively. This helps identify and fix leaks, clogged emitters, or misaligned sprinklers promptly, preventing water waste and ensuring plants receive adequate hydration for optimal growth.

Question 44: Hardening off transplants involves:

Pruning roots before planting
Applying fungicide to stems
Applying lime to increase pH
Gradually acclimating greenhouse-grown plants to outdoor conditions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Gradually acclimating greenhouse-grown plants to outdoor conditions

Hardening off gradually exposes greenhouse or indoor-grown transplants to outdoor light, temperature, and wind over 7–14 days to prevent transplant shock.

Question 45: Which certification is specifically designed for horticulture technicians working in the landscape industry?

CLP – Certified Landscape Professional
CHT – Certified Horticultural Technician (Correct answer)
ISA Certified Arborist
NALP Green Industry Credential

Correct answer: CHT – Certified Horticultural Technician

The CHT (Certified Horticultural Technician) credential from PLANET/NALP is specifically designed for landscape technicians demonstrating competency in horticulture and landscape skills.

Question 46: Route density in a lawn maintenance business refers to:

Fertilizer application density per route
The grass density on maintained lawns
How closely clustered service stops are geographically to reduce drive time (Correct answer)
The number of employees per truck

Correct answer: How closely clustered service stops are geographically to reduce drive time

Route density measures how geographically compact a service route is; dense routes reduce fuel costs, travel time, and labor hours spent driving between stops.

Question 47: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 48: Which tool is used to assess whether a tree's trunk is hollow or has internal decay?

Soil probe
Resistograph or mallet sounding (Correct answer)
Hygrometer
Increment borer

Correct answer: Resistograph or mallet sounding

A resistograph measures drilling resistance to detect internal decay, and mallet sounding uses hollow vs. solid audio cues to locate internal cavities.

Question 49: Dutch elm disease is caused by which pathogen, spread primarily by which vector?

Virus, spread by leafhoppers
Bacterium, spread by aphids
Fungus (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi), spread by elm bark beetles (Correct answer)
Nematode, spread through soil

Correct answer: Fungus (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi), spread by elm bark beetles

Dutch elm disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, introduced to new trees primarily by native and European elm bark beetles as they feed.

Question 50: Gray water reuse in landscape irrigation refers to:

Using stormwater collected in ponds
Recycling household sink and laundry water for irrigation (Correct answer)
Applying reclaimed municipal wastewater
Using water from pool draining

Correct answer: Recycling household sink and laundry water for irrigation

Gray water is lightly used household water from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be redirected to irrigate non-edible landscape plants after basic treatment.

Question 51: Biological nitrogen fixation, the conversion of atmospheric N2 into plant-available ammonia, is carried out by:

Nitrifying bacteria like Nitrobacter in the soil
Denitrifying bacteria that break down nitrates in anaerobic conditions
Mycorrhizal fungi in association with plant roots
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium in root nodules of legumes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium in root nodules of legumes

Rhizobium bacteria form symbiotic nodules on legume roots and convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that the plant can use.

Question 52: The 'right-to-know' law (OSHA Hazard Communication Standard) requires employers to:

Label all equipment with owner information
Post wages in the workplace
Train workers on chemical hazards and provide access to SDS sheets (Correct answer)
Report all injuries within 24 hours

Correct answer: Train workers on chemical hazards and provide access to SDS sheets

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom/GHS) requires employers to train employees on chemical hazards and maintain accessible SDS sheets for all hazardous chemicals.

Question 53: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Guesswork method
Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 54: What is 'hydraulic zoning' in irrigation design?

Using one zone for the entire property
Installing water meters per zone
Dividing areas by plant water need and pressure requirements (Correct answer)
Grouping zones by plant color

Correct answer: Dividing areas by plant water need and pressure requirements

Hydraulic zoning groups plants with similar water needs and designs zones based on flow rate and pressure to ensure uniform coverage.

Question 55: What does a green or blue-green soil crust indicate?

Calcium deficiency
High fertility
Algae or cyanobacterial growth due to excess moisture (Correct answer)
Proper drainage

Correct answer: Algae or cyanobacterial growth due to excess moisture

A green or blue-green surface crust typically indicates algae or cyanobacteria thriving in overly wet, compacted, or waterlogged conditions.

Question 56: Tree wound dressings (pruning paint) are now generally NOT recommended by arborists because research shows they:

Attract more insects to wounds
Are too expensive for routine use
Do not prevent decay and may interfere with the tree's natural compartmentalization (Correct answer)
Are toxic to the tree's cambium

Correct answer: Do not prevent decay and may interfere with the tree's natural compartmentalization

Studies show wound dressings do not prevent decay or infection and can seal in moisture and pathogens, impairing the tree's natural CODIT response.

Question 57: Which irrigation scheduling method uses soil moisture sensors?

ET-based scheduling
Soil moisture-based scheduling (Correct answer)
Calendar-based scheduling
Visual inspection scheduling

Correct answer: Soil moisture-based scheduling

Soil moisture-based scheduling uses sensors (tensiometers, capacitance probes) to trigger irrigation only when soil moisture falls below a set threshold.

Question 58: A high relative humidity environment (90%+) is maintained in a propagation mist house primarily to:

Reduce water loss through the leaves of unrooted cuttings (Correct answer)
Cool the growing medium
Increase CO₂ around the foliage
Prevent fungal growth on the cuttings

Correct answer: Reduce water loss through the leaves of unrooted cuttings

Unrooted cuttings cannot replace water lost through their leaves; high humidity reduces transpiration stress and prevents wilting before roots form.

Question 59: Organic matter improves soil structure primarily by:

Lowering soil pH significantly
Eliminating all pests
Binding soil particles into aggregates (Correct answer)
Increasing soil density

Correct answer: Binding soil particles into aggregates

Organic matter acts as a binding agent, promoting aggregation of soil particles into crumbs that improve aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration.

Question 60: Emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks ash trees by:

Infecting roots with fungal spores
Girdling branches from the outside
Feeding on leaves, causing defoliation
Larvae tunneling beneath the bark and destroying the cambium and phloem (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Larvae tunneling beneath the bark and destroying the cambium and phloem

EAB larvae feed on phloem and cambium tissue just beneath the bark in S-shaped galleries, disrupting water and nutrient transport and killing the tree.

Question 61: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method
Ignoring safety

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 62: What does 'head-to-head coverage' mean in sprinkler design?

Two heads pointing at each other
Double-stacking of pop-up heads
Heads installed back-to-back on a single lateral
Each sprinkler throws water to reach the next head's location (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Each sprinkler throws water to reach the next head's location

Head-to-head coverage means each sprinkler's throw radius reaches the adjacent head, ensuring overlapping coverage and uniform distribution.

Question 63: Which practice best demonstrates professionalism when working on a client's property?

Skipping walk-through communication with the client
Using the client's tools without asking
Parking on the lawn to save time
Leaving equipment and materials neatly secured and cleaning up all debris before leaving (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Leaving equipment and materials neatly secured and cleaning up all debris before leaving

Professional site practice includes securing and organizing equipment, cleaning up all clippings and debris, and leaving the property in better condition than found.

Question 64: Workers' Compensation insurance is required for employees in most US states to cover:

Medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job (Correct answer)
Vehicle accidents on public roads
Client property damage
Equipment replacement

Correct answer: Medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job

Workers' Compensation provides medical benefits and wage replacement for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, and is mandatory in nearly all US states.

Question 65: Proper staking of a newly planted tree should:

Be attached at the very top of the tree
Rigidly hold the tree perfectly upright for 3+ years
Use wire directly against the trunk without padding
Allow some trunk movement while stabilizing the root ball only as long as needed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Allow some trunk movement while stabilizing the root ball only as long as needed

Trees need some trunk movement (wind sway) to develop taper and strength; stakes should stabilize the root ball and be removed within one growing season.

Question 66: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Guesswork method
Ignoring safety
Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 67: Iron chlorosis in plants is most commonly associated with:

Sandy soil with low CEC
High soil pH above 7.0 (Correct answer)
Acidic soil with pH below 5
Overwatering in clay soil

Correct answer: High soil pH above 7.0

At high pH (above 7.0), iron becomes insoluble and unavailable to plants, causing yellowing (chlorosis) of young leaves.

Question 68: What is 'water hammer' in irrigation systems?

A pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure (Correct answer)
Mineral buildup in pipes
Excessive water pressure at emitters
A tool used to drive stakes

Correct answer: A pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure

Water hammer is a pressure shock wave created when valves close rapidly, potentially damaging pipes, fittings, and heads in the irrigation system.

Question 69: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 70: Phototropism is the directional growth of a plant in response to:

Light direction (Correct answer)
Water availability
Gravity
Touch or mechanical stimulation

Correct answer: Light direction

Phototropism causes shoots to bend toward light (positive) and roots to grow away from it (negative), mediated by uneven auxin distribution.

Question 71: What is a key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety?

Ignoring safety
Skipping maintenance
Equipment Operation & Safety standard (Correct answer)
Guesswork method

Correct answer: Equipment Operation & Safety standard

Question 72: What is the purpose of a soil percolation test?

Identify soil pathogens
Assess drainage rate (Correct answer)
Measure pH
Determine organic matter content

Correct answer: Assess drainage rate

A percolation test measures how quickly water drains through soil, helping determine suitability for plants and irrigation design.

Question 73: When is the best time to prune most flowering trees that bloom in spring?

Immediately after flowering in spring (Correct answer)
Late winter before budbreak
Late fall after leaf drop
Midsummer during active growth

Correct answer: Immediately after flowering in spring

Spring-blooming trees set their flower buds the previous season; pruning immediately after bloom preserves the current flowers and allows new bud development for next year.

Question 74: Which container size is typically designated as a '5-gallon' in the US nursery trade?

A 5-inch-diameter pot
Exactly 5 gallons of actual volume
A trade size container holding approximately 3.8 gallons (Correct answer)
A square 5-quart container

Correct answer: A trade size container holding approximately 3.8 gallons

Nursery trade container sizes are nominal; a '5-gallon' container actually holds approximately 3.5–4 gallons of growing medium, not exactly 5 gallons.

Question 75: A Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provides information primarily about:

Plant species and care requirements
Chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency response for a product (Correct answer)
Equipment operating manuals
Fertilizer application rates

Correct answer: Chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency response for a product

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) contains hazard identification, exposure limits, PPE requirements, first aid, and spill response procedures for chemical products.

Question 76: The Casparian strip, found in root endodermis cells, functions to:

Anchor root hairs to soil particles
Transport sugars from phloem into root tissue
Store starch reserves for the root
Force water and ions to pass through cell membranes rather than between cells, allowing selective uptake (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Force water and ions to pass through cell membranes rather than between cells, allowing selective uptake

The Casparian strip is a band of waxy suberin that blocks apoplastic movement, forcing ions through the symplast where selective transport occurs.

Question 77: Which measurement is used to express tree trunk size for transplanting specifications in the US?

Root ball diameter
Caliper (trunk diameter in inches, measured 6 inches above grade) (Correct answer)
Crown spread in feet
Height in feet

Correct answer: Caliper (trunk diameter in inches, measured 6 inches above grade)

The American Standard for Nursery Stock specifies trunk caliper (diameter) measured at 6 inches above grade for trees up to 4-inch caliper as the sizing standard.

Question 78: What is the recommended practice when winterizing an irrigation system in a cold climate?

Blow out all water using compressed air (Correct answer)
Fill pipes with antifreeze
Leave one zone running continuously
Increase water pressure

Correct answer: Blow out all water using compressed air

Winterizing involves blowing out irrigation lines with compressed air to remove all water and prevent pipe and head damage from freezing.

Question 79: Which macronutrient is most critical for vegetative (leaf) growth and gives plants their green color?

Calcium
Nitrogen (Correct answer)
Potassium
Phosphorus

Correct answer: Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll and amino acids, making it essential for lush vegetative growth.

Question 80: Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for promoting cell elongation and is produced in the apical meristem?

Abscisic acid
Auxin (Correct answer)
Cytokinin
Gibberellin

Correct answer: Auxin

Auxin (IAA) is produced in apical meristems and promotes cell elongation by loosening cell walls, driving stem extension.

Question 81: Slow-release fertilizers are preferred in professional horticulture primarily because they:

Eliminate the need for irrigation
Are cheaper per application
Reduce leaching and provide sustained nutrition (Correct answer)
Work only in acidic soils

Correct answer: Reduce leaching and provide sustained nutrition

Slow-release fertilizers reduce nutrient leaching, lower burn risk, and supply steady nutrition over weeks or months.

Question 82: What is the function of rooting hormone (IBA) when used on cuttings?

Prevent wilting during rooting
Kill pathogens on the cutting
Stimulate callus and root formation at the cut surface (Correct answer)
Provide nutrition to the cutting

Correct answer: Stimulate callus and root formation at the cut surface

Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is an auxin that promotes adventitious root initiation and development at the base of vegetative cuttings.

Question 83: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance
Guesswork method
Ignoring safety

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 84: Which factor is most important when selecting plants for a site?

Soil, sunlight, and water conditions (Correct answer)
Color of mulch
Availability of tools
Price of grass seed

Correct answer: Soil, sunlight, and water conditions

The success of any plant depends on its suitability to the specific environmental conditions of the site. Matching a plant's needs for soil type, pH, drainage, sunlight exposure, and water availability to the site's characteristics is paramount for its health and long-term survival and thriving.

Question 85: What is the purpose of a pressure regulator in a drip irrigation system?

Automate zone schedules
Reduce pressure to a level safe for drip components (Correct answer)
Increase water volume
Filter nutrients

Correct answer: Reduce pressure to a level safe for drip components

Drip systems require low pressure (typically 15–30 PSI); pressure regulators reduce incoming line pressure to prevent blowing apart emitters or fittings.

Question 86: The ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) recommends against 'lion's tailing' because it:

Removes too little foliage
Strips interior branches, creating end-heavy, wind-sail branches prone to failure (Correct answer)
Is too time-consuming
Stimulates excessive interior sprouting

Correct answer: Strips interior branches, creating end-heavy, wind-sail branches prone to failure

Lion's tailing removes interior and lower branches, concentrating foliage at branch ends, which weakens structure and increases branch failure risk in wind.

Question 87: Evapotranspiration (ET) data is used in irrigation scheduling to:

Determine fertilizer rates
Calculate soil pH
Identify plant diseases
Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace

ET values quantify water lost through evaporation and plant transpiration, helping irrigators apply exactly the amount needed to maintain soil moisture.

Question 88: What does 'CODIT' stand for in tree pathology?

Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees (Correct answer)
Controlled Organic Disease in Timber
Complete Organic Decay in Timber
Crown-Originated Decay Isolation Theory

Correct answer: Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees

CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees) describes the natural defense mechanism trees use to wall off wounded and decaying tissue through chemical and structural barriers.

Question 89: A horticulture technician's estimate should include all of the following EXCEPT:

Material costs
Competitor's pricing (Correct answer)
Labor costs
Overhead and profit margin

Correct answer: Competitor's pricing

A professional estimate is built on your own costs (labor, materials, overhead) and desired profit margin — competitor pricing is a market reference, not a line item in your estimate.

Question 90: What is a key concept in Turf & Ornamental Maintenance?

Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance
Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Turf & Ornamental Maintenance standard

Question 91: What is a key concept in Plant Identification & Pest Management?

Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Plant Identification & Pest Management standard (Correct answer)
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Plant Identification & Pest Management standard

Question 92: Mulching around trees provides all of the following benefits EXCEPT:

Increases soil compaction (Correct answer)
Suppresses weeds
Moderates soil temperature
Retains soil moisture

Correct answer: Increases soil compaction

Mulch moderates temperature, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds, but it does NOT increase compaction — it actually reduces compaction by protecting soil from foot traffic.

Question 93: A landscape technician notices an irrigation leak on a client's property not included in the current service contract. The best action is to:

Fix it immediately and charge without informing the client
Ignore it since it is not in the contract
Cover the leak with mulch to hide it
Document it with a photo and notify the client promptly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Document it with a photo and notify the client promptly

Documenting and promptly notifying the client of observed issues protects both the client's property and the technician's professional standing and liability.

Question 94: Division as a propagation method is best suited for:

Annual vegetables
Large shade trees
Tropical palms
Clump-forming perennials and ornamental grasses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clump-forming perennials and ornamental grasses

Division involves separating the crown and root system of clump-forming perennials and grasses into sections, each with roots attached for immediate replanting.

Question 95: What is a key concept in Equipment Operation & Safety?

Equipment Operation & Safety standard (Correct answer)
Ignoring safety
Guesswork method
Skipping maintenance

Correct answer: Equipment Operation & Safety standard

Question 96: What is the primary function of the phloem in vascular plants?

Structural support of stems and branches
Transport of mineral nutrients from soil into roots
Transport of photosynthates (sugars) from leaves to other plant parts (Correct answer)
Transport of water from roots to leaves

Correct answer: Transport of photosynthates (sugars) from leaves to other plant parts

Phloem conducts sugars and other organic compounds produced during photosynthesis from source tissues (leaves) to sink tissues (roots, fruits).

Question 97: Which type of sprinkler head is best suited for large turf areas?

Misting nozzle
Fixed spray head
Drip emitter
Rotary/rotor head (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Rotary/rotor head

Rotary (rotor) heads rotate and throw water over large distances, making them efficient and cost-effective for large turf areas.

Question 98: Which federal agency regulates pesticide registration and labeling in the United States?

OSHA
USDA
FDA
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

The US EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs registers all pesticides sold in the US and approves all label language, making the label a federally enforceable document.

Question 99: A plant showing interveinal chlorosis on young leaves (veins remain green, tissue between yellows) most likely has a deficiency of:

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Calcium
Iron or Manganese (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Iron or Manganese

Iron and manganese are immobile nutrients needed for chlorophyll synthesis; deficiency appears first on young leaves with green veins and yellow tissue between them.

Question 100: Apical dominance occurs when the apical bud suppresses the growth of lateral buds. Which hormone is primarily responsible for this effect?

Auxin produced in the apical meristem (Correct answer)
Abscisic acid produced in the roots
Gibberellin released from young leaves
Cytokinin produced in the shoot tip

Correct answer: Auxin produced in the apical meristem

High auxin concentrations from the apical meristem inhibit lateral bud development; removing the apex releases lateral buds from this suppression.

Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT)

The NALP CHT certification validates horticultural professionals on plant science, plant health care, irrigation management, and business operations across two scored exam sections, each requiring a 70% passing score.

100

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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