Hazard and Risk Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CTSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hazard and Risk Assessment flashcards as text
A tree assessment reveals a large crack running vertically through the trunk. Which term describes this condition?
Answer: Shear crack with potential for rapid failure
A vertical crack through the trunk can indicate a shear crack caused by torsional or bending loads and presents a significant failure risk.
Which assessment interval is generally recommended for trees rated as 'high risk' with mitigation deferred?
Answer: Annually or more frequently
High-risk trees with deferred mitigation should be reassessed annually or more frequently because conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
What is the significance of the 'failure zone' in tree risk assessment site planning?
Answer: The area that would be struck if the tree or a part failed
The failure zone is the area that would be impacted by falling tree parts, and it is used to identify whether targets are at risk.
During a post-storm assessment, an arborist finds a tree with a partially detached branch hanging in the canopy. This condition is commonly called:
Answer: A widow maker or hangar
A partially detached or suspended branch caught in the canopy is called a widow maker or hangar and poses an immediate hazard to workers below.
Which tree defect is characterized by a sudden, unpredictable failure of large branches during calm, hot weather in summer?
Answer: Summer branch drop (sudden branch drop)
Summer branch drop is a poorly understood phenomenon where large limbs fail without warning during hot, dry, calm conditions.
A city arborist must assess hundreds of street trees efficiently. Which approach provides the best balance of thoroughness and efficiency for initial screening?
Answer: Basic level visual assessment to prioritize trees needing further review
A basic-level visual assessment efficiently screens the inventory to identify trees requiring advanced assessment, optimizing resource allocation.
Which factor most significantly reduces the effectiveness of visual tree assessment for detecting structural problems?
Answer: Dense ivy or vine growth obscuring the trunk and base
Dense ivy or vine growth can hide decay, cracks, cavities, and other structural defects, making a reliable visual assessment impossible.