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 mature tree displays reaction wood (tension wood in hardwoods) on one side of the trunk. What does this indicate about the tree's history?
Answer: The tree has compensated for a lean or mechanical stress over time
Reaction wood forms as a tree compensates for a persistent lean or mechanical stress, indicating the tree has experienced or adapted to gravitational or wind loading.
Which of the following is an example of a PRIMARY failure mode in tree risk assessment?
Answer: Whole tree windthrow due to root decay
Whole tree windthrow caused by root decay is a primary failure mode, meaning the tree fails due to its own structural deficiency rather than an external force.
What does a 'likelihood of impact' rating consider when the target is an occupied parking lot open 10 hours per day?
Answer: The probability that a person or vehicle would be in the failure zone when failure occurs
Likelihood of impact estimates the probability that a target will be present in the failure zone at the moment of failure, considering occupancy patterns.
An arborist inspects a tree and notes significant dieback in the upper crown with epicormic sprouting lower on the trunk. Which condition does this pattern typically suggest?
Answer: Decline or chronic stress causing energy redirection to lower sprouts
Upper crown dieback combined with lower epicormic sprouting is a classic sign of tree decline, where the tree redirects limited energy closer to the root system.
Under the ANSI A300 Part 9 standard, who is qualified to perform an advanced-level tree risk assessment?
Answer: A qualified arborist with documented training in tree risk assessment
ANSI A300 Part 9 requires that advanced risk assessments be performed by a qualified arborist who has documented training such as ISA TRAQ certification.
Which of the following mitigation options is most appropriate when tree removal is undesirable but the risk from a specific large branch is high?
Answer: Crown reduction pruning or structural cabling of the defective branch
Crown reduction pruning reduces the load on the defective branch, and structural cabling provides supplemental support, both lowering failure likelihood without removing the tree.
A property owner asks why a seemingly solid-looking tree was flagged as high risk. Which explanation best addresses the limitation of external appearance?
Answer: Significant internal decay can be fully concealed by intact bark and a healthy crown
Trees can harbor extensive internal decay that is completely hidden by intact bark, making visual appearance an unreliable indicator of internal structural condition.