ISA Certified Arborist Practice Exam

Why is it important to reduce stress on trees?

1. To enhance their aesthetic appeal

2. To ensure faster growth rates

3. To improve resilience against pests and diseases

4. To increase fruit production

The correct answer is: To improve resilience against pests and diseases

Reducing stress on trees is crucial for improving their resilience against pests and diseases. Stress factors such as drought, poor soil conditions, physical damage, and improper pruning can weaken a tree’s natural defenses, making it more vulnerable to infestations and infections. Healthy trees possess better biochemical pathways and immune responses, allowing them to fend off harmful organisms more effectively. By minimizing stress, trees can allocate more resources toward growth and defense mechanisms, thereby enhancing their overall health and longevity. While enhancing aesthetic appeal, ensuring faster growth rates, and increasing fruit production are important considerations in tree management, these aspects often stem from a foundational requirement: the tree’s health. Addressing stress directly correlates with a tree’s ability to thrive in its environment, making resilience against pests and diseases a primary reason for stress reduction.