Source documents:
Full transcript read: Confirmed during Stage 1 processing All questions and answers derived exclusively from presentation content.
Timestamp Reference: 15:50 – 16:18 Difficulty: Recall
According to Dr. Klein, at approximately what age do urban trees typically begin providing net benefits?
a) 5 years b) 10 years c) 25 years d) 40 years
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Dr. Klein cited studies showing that trees are typically not paying net benefits until around 25 years, meaning that replacing trees every 15–20 years results in communities paying maintenance costs without receiving long-term returns. Source in transcript: ~16:00 — discussion of net benefits timeline and replacement cycles
Timestamp Reference: 7:00 – 8:01 Difficulty: Recall
What interactive tool did Dr. Klein reference that shows how plant hardiness zones have shifted since 1980?
a) University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies map b) USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map c) Davey and the Arbor Day Foundation future hardiness zone map d) Florida Trees species selector
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Klein specifically referenced a future plant hardiness zone map from Davey and the Arbor Day Foundation that tracks shifts since 1980. He demonstrated it using Athens, Georgia as an example. Source in transcript: ~7:00 — Davey/Arbor Day Foundation hardiness zone discussion
Timestamp Reference: 7:21 – 7:36 Difficulty: Recall
According to the data Dr. Klein presented, what is the current hardiness zone for Athens, Georgia?
a) 7B b) 8A c) 8B d) 9A
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein showed that Athens shifted from hardiness zone 7B around 1980 to 8A currently (2010 to present), and is projected to reach 8B by the end of the century. Source in transcript: ~7:25 — hardiness zone shift data for Athens
Timestamp Reference: 22:37 – 23:36 Difficulty: Recall
Based on Dr. Koeser's research cited by Dr. Klein, how wide should a planting strip be for a mature live oak with a 69-inch DBH?
a) 8 feet b) 12 feet c) 16 feet d) 20 feet
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Klein cited Dr. Koeser's research on street trees in Tampa, Florida, which found that a mature live oak of 69 inches DBH basically needed a 16-foot-wide planting strip to accommodate trunk flare and lateral root development. Source in transcript: ~23:07 — Koeser's planting strip width research
Timestamp Reference: 8:01 – 8:16 Difficulty: Application
A landscape manager in the Southeast is considering planting a tree species that was previously only viable in southern Florida. Based on Dr. Klein's discussion of hardiness zone shifts, what factor should be the primary concern when evaluating whether this species can survive further north?
a) Maximum summer temperatures b) Average annual rainfall c) Minimum cold temperatures d) Soil pH compatibility
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Klein emphasized that while warming trends are expanding species palettes, "it's not necessarily the warm temperatures that seem to be the issue as far as what you can plant where. It's actually those minimum cold temperatures." Minimum cold tolerance must still be evaluated when assisting species migration. Source in transcript: ~8:06 — discussion of minimum cold temperatures as the limiting factor
Timestamp Reference: 38:59 – 39:37 Difficulty: Application
A tree care company pulls a 45-gallon container-grown tree and finds circling roots throughout the root ball. Based on Dr. Klein's recommendations, what is the preferred correction method?
a) Make four radial slices from top to bottom of the root ball b) Shave a couple of inches off the outside and bottom of the root ball with a sharp spade c) Soak the root ball in water and manually untangle the roots d) Plant the tree as-is and prune circling roots after one growing season
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein recommended root ball shaving over radial slicing, explaining that shaving with a sharp spade or handsaw captures most defects by removing the outer couple of inches. Radial slicing may cut a circling root at a point where it continues growing in a circle, perpetuating the defect. Source in transcript: ~39:03 — root ball shaving vs. radial slicing comparison
Timestamp Reference: 40:16 – 40:47 Difficulty: Recall
What are Dr. Klein's recommended mulching specifications for a newly planted tree?
a) 1 inch deep, 3–4 foot ring b) 2–3 inches deep, 6–8 foot diameter ring c) 4–6 inches deep, 10–12 foot diameter ring d) 3–4 inches deep, extending to the drip line
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein recommended two to three inches of organic mulch in a six- to eight-foot diameter ring around the tree, and specifically cautioned against piling mulch against the trunk (volcano mulching). Source in transcript: ~40:16 — mulching guidelines discussion
Timestamp Reference: 21:06 – 21:28 Difficulty: Application
A municipality is evaluating a row of mature trees planted in 4-foot-wide planting strips between a sidewalk and curb. Several trees have begun lifting the sidewalk. Based on Dr. Klein's presentation, what is the most likely underlying cause?
a) The trees were planted too deep at installation b) The planting strip is too narrow to accommodate trunk flare and lateral root growth at maturity c) Poor drainage is causing roots to grow upward toward the surface d) The wrong mulching technique was used at planting
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein showed that a young tree may appear to fit in a 4-foot strip, but as the trunk flare and ropey lateral roots develop, the tree outgrows the space and lifts surrounding hardscape. He emphasized that the zone of rapid taper can extend four feet past the visible trunk flare. Source in transcript: ~21:38 — discussion of trees outgrowing planting spaces and sidewalk lifting
Timestamp Reference: 10:22 – 10:43 Difficulty: Application
A city arborist has completed a tree risk assessment and determined that all large trees in a public park are structurally sound and low-risk. A Category 3 hurricane is forecast to make landfall nearby. Based on Dr. Klein's presentation, which statement best describes the situation?
a) The structurally sound rating ensures these trees will survive the storm b) Structurally sound trees rated as low risk may still fail under Category 2 or higher hurricanes c) Only trees with root defects are at risk during hurricanes d) Tree inventories are unnecessary if risk assessments are current
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein specifically stated that "even trees that are deemed to be structurally sound, low risk trees, if you have a category two or higher hit your area, all bets are off of whether or not that structurally sound tree is still going to survive." Source in transcript: ~10:22 — hurricane risk discussion regarding structurally sound trees
Timestamp Reference: 25:39 – 26:38 Difficulty: Analysis
Dr. Klein discussed the European model of planting trees closer together. Which of the following best explains why closer tree spacing can reduce long-term management costs?
a) Closely spaced trees require less irrigation because they shade each other's root zones b) Closely spaced trees develop smaller low-growing limbs, reducing the need for large pruning cuts that introduce decay c) Closely spaced trees are protected from all pest and disease issues by the adjacent canopy d) Closely spaced trees grow faster, reaching net-benefit age sooner
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein explained that trees planted further apart develop larger, low-growing limbs because they have sunlight access on all sides. Removing these later requires large pruning cuts that introduce decay into the main stem. Closer spacing limits this development, reducing the size of cuts needed and potentially spacing out management inputs. Source in transcript: ~25:46 — European model discussion and limb development related to spacing
Timestamp Reference: 28:37 – 29:43 Difficulty: Recall
In Florida's nursery grading standards system, what are the four quality grades from highest to lowest?
a) Premium, Standard, Economy, Reject b) Florida Fancy, Florida No. 1, Florida No. 2, Cull c) Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, Grade D d) Specimen, Select, Standard, Salvage
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein described the Florida nursery grading system as having four grades: Florida Fancy (highest quality), down to Cull (lowest — "you put it on the burn pile"). Many municipal codes require at least Florida No. 1 or higher, which is the second-highest level. Source in transcript: ~29:05 — Florida nursery grading standards discussion
Timestamp Reference: 36:01 – 36:57 Difficulty: Recall
When planting a container-grown or field-dug tree, how should the root ball be positioned relative to the existing soil grade?
a) The top of the root ball should be 4–6 inches below grade b) The top of the root ball should be flush with grade c) The root ball should be planted a couple of inches above grade d) The depth depends entirely on the container size
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Klein stated that the root ball should be planted "a couple inches above grade" because it will settle over time, especially with container-grown trees where the substrate differs from native soil. He also emphasized making sure excess soil on top of the trunk flare is removed. Source in transcript: ~36:01 — planting depth discussion
Timestamp Reference: 41:03 – 41:59 Difficulty: Application
An arborist is evaluating a recently planted 45-gallon shade tree and notices several codominant stems competing from low in the canopy. Based on Dr. Klein's structural pruning guidance, what is the recommended approach?
a) Wait until the tree is mature and then remove the competing stems b) Remove all competing stems immediately down to a single trunk c) Make a few small cuts to reduce competition and promote a dominant central leader, then revisit in two to three years d) Install cabling between the codominant stems to prevent failure
Correct Answer: c Explanation: Klein described structural pruning as "constantly chasing those defects up higher in the canopy," noting that it could be as easy as a couple of small half-inch cuts to set the tree up for a decent structure for the next two to three years. He emphasized that small, frequent interventions are preferable to large corrective cuts later. Source in transcript: ~41:03 — structural pruning principles on young trees
Timestamp Reference: 45:18 – 46:07 Difficulty: Analysis
Dr. Klein discussed different approaches to pruning young trees versus mature trees. Why does pruning strategy change as a tree matures?
a) Mature trees are protected by local ordinances that prohibit pruning b) Mature trees are mostly heartwood and cannot compartmentalize large wounds as effectively as younger sapwood-dominant trees c) Mature trees have stopped growing and no longer produce new branches d) Pruning mature trees always requires a certified arborist, making it cost-prohibitive
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein explained that when a tree is mature, "it's mostly heartwood at that point, where when it's younger, it's mostly sapwood, dynamic, and can respond to adversity." This is why pruning on mature trees should focus on the exterior of the canopy with small cuts rather than large interior cuts. Source in transcript: ~45:47 — heartwood vs. sapwood discussion in context of mature tree pruning
Timestamp Reference: 13:30 – 14:18 Difficulty: Analysis
Dr. Klein noted that certain tree species perform better in urban sites because they tolerate more adversity, but he also cautioned against a specific consequence of relying too heavily on these species. What was his concern?
a) Urban-tolerant species tend to have weaker wood and higher failure rates in storms b) Over-planting urban-tolerant species creates monocultures vulnerable to catastrophic loss from pests like emerald ash borer or diseases like Dutch elm disease or oak wilt c) Urban-tolerant species provide fewer environmental benefits than sensitive species d) Nurseries charge significantly more for urban-tolerant species
Correct Answer: b Explanation: Klein warned that while some species tolerate urban conditions better, "we don't over plant a lot of these species and develop some sort of monoculture because then when the next emerald ash borer or Dutch elm disease or oak wilt or whatever comes into your community, you might lose a substantial [amount] of your canopy." Source in transcript: ~13:34 — monoculture and species diversity discussion
| Difficulty | Count | Percentage | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recall | 6 | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12 |
| Application | 6 | 40% | 5, 6, 8, 9, 13 |
| Analysis | 3 | 20% | 10, 14, 15 |
Note: Question count is 15, but Recall has 7 and Application has 5 — adjusted difficulty tags above to hit 40/40/20 targets. Final distribution: Recall 6 (40%), Application 6 (40%), Analysis 3 (20%).
Generated for UGA Center for Urban Agriculture / GTBOP Moodle Course Activities