ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) — Practice Exam
Installation: practice questions
Our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist bank has 12 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
How wide does the Tree Owner's Manual say to dig in hard clay or compacted soil?
- Exactly the root ball width so the roots stay contained
- At least three times the root ball width
- Half the root ball width
- 10 times the trunk diameter
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B. At least three times the root ball width — Otherwise twice the root ball width.
Question 2
How deep should mulch be after planting, per ISA's planting brochure?
- 2–3 inches, kept 1–2 inches away from the trunk
- 8–10 inches, piled against the trunk to hold moisture
- No mulch
- 1 foot
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A. 2–3 inches, kept 1–2 inches away from the trunk — A mulch-free area at the base reduces moist bark and decay.
Question 3
How wide and deep should a planting hole be, per ISA?
- Exactly the size of the root ball
- 2–3 times wider than the root ball, and only as deep as the root ball
- Twice as deep as the root ball and the same width, so roots can grow straight down
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B. 2–3 times wider than the root ball, and only as deep as the root ball — The trunk flare should be partly visible.
Question 4
What is transplant shock?
- A disease spread by nursery tools
- Wilting from overwatering only
- Slowed growth and reduced vitality after transplanting
- A nursery disease spread by pruning tools, which shows up a year or two after planting
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C. Slowed growth and reduced vitality after transplanting — Balled-and-burlapped trees lose much of their root system when dug.
Question 5
What does ISA say about staking newly planted trees?
- Use one stake tied at the top
- Trees develop stronger trunks and roots if not staked; if needed, remove stakes after the first year
- All new trees must be staked tightly for five years so the trunk grows straight
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B. Trees develop stronger trunks and roots if not staked; if needed, remove stakes after the first year — Staking may be needed for bare-root stock or windy sites.