Certified Arborist study plan

Diagram the cross-section of a woody stem from pith to periderm and label xylem, phloem, vascular cambium, and cork cambium

Explain in writing how photosynthate allocation, CODIT compartmentalization, and ray parenchyma affect wound response

Distinguish monocot vs. dicot vascular arrangement, and identify ring-porous vs. diffuse-porous wood from described features

Build a 30-term flashcard set covering leaf arrangement, bud type, bark texture, and twig characters used in winter identification

Identify 20 common urban tree species from written diagnostic descriptions of leaf, bud, bark, and form alone (no images)

Describe how soil texture, structure, porosity, and bulk density interact to limit root respiration

Calculate plant-available water holding capacity given a texture class and rooting depth

Summarize the relationship between soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient availability

Diagnose eight written soil scenarios (compaction, waterlogging, drought, wrong pH, buried root flare, grade change) and prescribe a mitigation for each

Explain the 16 essential nutrients by function, mobility in the plant, and typical deficiency symptom

Compare fertilization methods (surface, subsurface, injection, foliar) by placement, uptake rate, and risk

Interpret a soil test report: pH, CEC, organic matter, P, K, and micronutrients

Calculate a nitrogen application rate for a given tree size using a labeled product and check it against recommended lbs N per inch of trunk diameter

Sequence the steps of planting a containerized, B&B, and bare-root tree, including pit width, root flare depth, and staking decision

List establishment-care tasks for years 1 through 3 and explain why each matters

Explain transplant shock physiology and the role of root:shoot ratio at installation

Identify the branch collar, branch bark ridge, and codominant union on described stem geometry and state the correct cut for each

Differentiate thinning, heading, reduction, removal, and structural pruning by objective and by the growth response each induces

Apply the 3-cut method and the 25%/33% live-crown removal limits to five written pruning prescriptions

Select and specify a support system (static vs. dynamic, cabling vs. bracing) for three described defect scenarios

Perform a systematic diagnostic walk-through (site, soil, water, history, biotic, abiotic) on ten written case vignettes

Distinguish signs from symptoms and separate abiotic from biotic causal factors in each case

Match ten common pests/pathogens to host, symptom, and integrated management tactic

Explain the PHC monitoring cycle and how to set an action threshold for a given pest

Define likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, and consequence of failure, and combine them into a risk rating

Walk a described tree through the ISA Tree Risk Assessment matrix and defend the resulting rating verbally

Produce mitigation options ranked by risk reduction per dollar for three defect scenarios

Explain the arborist's duty of care, standard of care, and documentation requirements for a risk inspection

Apply ANSI Z133 aerial and ground safety requirements to fifteen described field scenarios and flag each violation

State the employer's and employee's responsibilities under the OSHA general duty clause and the Z133 standard

Explain tree ordinance, tree protection zone, and preservation-plan concepts in urban forestry practice

Complete a timed 100-question cumulative review and remediate every missed item back to its source domain