ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) — Practice Exam
Tree identification and selection: practice questions
Our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist bank has 19 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 does ISA say mature tree size affects benefits?
- Smaller trees always give more benefits
- Smaller trees generally provide the greatest economic and environmental returns per dollar
- Larger trees typically provide the greatest economic and environmental returns
- Only fruit size matters
Show the answer
C. Larger trees typically provide the greatest economic and environmental returns — Match form and size to the site.
Question 2
What does ISA list as the number-one human cause of tree death?
- Pruning at the wrong time of year with dull tools
- Planting the wrong tree
- Vandalism
- Overwatering
Show the answer
B. Planting the wrong tree — Soil compaction, under- and overwatering and vandalism complete the top five.
Question 3
Which tree is listed as susceptible to ice storm damage in the USDA Forest Service table?
- Ginkgo, which is listed as resistant
- Eastern hemlock
- Silver maple
- Baldcypress
Show the answer
C. Silver maple — Ginkgo, baldcypress and hemlock are listed as resistant.
Question 4
Which trees does the USDA Forest Service call notoriously poor compartmentalizers to avoid where wounding is likely?
- Beech, red maple, silver maple, hackberry, red oak and many poplars
- White oak and other species known for walling off decay well
- All conifers
- White oak, black walnut and other species known for walling off decay quickly and strongly
Show the answer
A. Beech, red maple, silver maple, hackberry, red oak and many poplars — Locate trees away from curbs and traffic to reduce wounding.
Question 5
What does a dichotomous key do?
- Offers two choices at each step to narrow down an identification
- Lists trees by price and availability at nurseries
- Measures tree height
- Lists trees by price, size and availability at nurseries so the client can compare options
Show the answer
A. Offers two choices at each step to narrow down an identification — The Ohio State leaf key works this way.