Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Exam Subject Matter
- General tree knowledge and safety
- Tree physiology, including the functions of all parts of a tree and their interrelationships
- Proper tree planting procedures and theories
- Soil characteristics, including how factors such as fertilizer, lime, soil amendments, pH and soil organisms affect the health and appearance of trees
- General pesticide procedures and usage
- General tree health and maintenance, including proper methods of pruning, fertilizing, soil aerating, soil amending and pesticide applications
- Impact and remediation techniques to trees from construction activities or other man-made impacts to a planting location
- Insect and disease damage and control methods
- Abiotic (environmental) factors and impacts affecting trees, such as pollution, drought, etc
- Structural repair or preventative measures to trees, such as cabling, bracing, bark tracing and lightning protection
- ANSI Z133 for safety standards and ANSI A300 for practice standards
- Tree Pruning
- Tree Climbing and related equipment (saddles, ropes, snaps, carabiners)
- Tree Removal and Rigging
- Limbing and Bucking
- Chainsaw Safety and Operation
- Chipper Safety and Operation
- Aerial Lift Safety and Operation
- Stump Grinder Safety and Operation
- Electrical Hazard Awareness
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Tree identification (dendrology) including common and botanical names
- Insects and insect problems that affect trees and a recommended course of action. Recommendations can include both chemical and non-chemical procedures
- Disease and disease problems that affect trees and a recommended course of action. Recommendations can include both chemical and non-chemical procedures
- Abiotic (environmental) and cultural problems affecting trees and recommendations
- Structural problems of trees and recommendations
- General tree knowledge and safety
- General tree health and maintenance, including proper methods of pruning
- Impact and remediation techniques to trees from construction activities or other man-made impacts to a planting location
- ANSI Z133 for safety standards and ANSI A300 for practice standards
- Tree Pruning
- Tree Climbing and related equipment (saddles, ropes, snaps, carabiners)
- Tree Removal and Rigging
- Limbing and Bucking
- Chainsaw Safety and Operation
- Chipper Safety and Operation
- Aerial Lift Safety and Operation
- Stump Grinder Safety and Operation
- Electrical Hazard Awareness
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Licensed Tree Expert Exam Reference List
The LTE written examination questions are derived from information found in the following books.
Arboriculture; Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Vines, Third Edition, (Richard W. Harris, James R. Clark and Nelda P. Matheny), 687 pages.
Pirone’s Tree Maintenance, Seventh Edition, (John R. Hartman, Thomas P. Pirone and Mary Ann Sall), 587 pages.
Plant Health Care for Woody Ornamentals: A Professional’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Environmental Stresses and Pests, (International Society of Arboriculture and the University of Illinois) 223 pages.
Pest Management in the Landscape: An Introduction, (Christopher J. Luley and A.D. Ali), Urban Forestry LLC, 89 pages.
Wood Decay Fungi: Common to Urban Living Trees in the Northeast and Central United States, (Christopher J. Luley and A.D. Ali), Urban Forestry LLC, 58 pages.
Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs: An Integrated Pest Management Guide, Second Edition, (Steve H. Dreistadt, Jack Kelly Clark and Mary Louise Flint) University of California Integrated Pest Management Program, 501 pages.
Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, (Wayne A. Sinclair, Howard H. Lyon and Warren T. Johnson), 575 pages
A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants, (Diane Brown-Rytlewski), Michigan State University IPM Program, 123 pages.
Managing Insects and Mites on Woody Plants: An IPM Approach, (John A. Davidson and Michael J. Raupp), TCIA, 197 pages.
A Color Atlas of Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers, (David V. Alford), 448 pages.
A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas, Second Edition, (Nelda P. Matheny and James R. Clark), International Society of Arboriculture, 85 pages.
A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects, (Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension), 27 pages
An Illustrated Guide to Pruning, (Edward F. Gilman), Second Edition, 330 pages.
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture and Uses, Fifth Edition, (Michael A. Dirr), 1187 pages.
Tree Owner’s Manual for the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, (Jill R. Johnson, Gary R. Johnson, Maureen H. McDonough, Lisa L. Burban and Janette K. Monear, US Forest Service, 35 pages.
Guide for Plant Appraisal, (Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers), International Society of Arboriculture, 143 pages.
The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers, (George E. Brown), 354 pages.
A New Tree Biology, (Alex Shigo), 727 pages.
ANSI A300 American National Standard for Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management, which includes:
- 2014 Pruning (Part 1),
- 2011 Soil Management (modification, fertilization, and drainage) (Part 2), 2013 Supplemental Support Systems (Part 3),
- 2014 Lightning Protection Systems (Part 4),
- 2012 Management of Trees and Shrubs During Site Planning, Site Development, and Construction (Part 5),
- 2012 Planting and Transplanting (Part 6),
- 2012 Integrated Vegetation Management (Electric Utility Rights-of-Way) (Part 7),
- 2013 Root Management (Part 8),
- 2011 Tree Risk Assessment (Tree Structure Assessment) (Part 9), and
- 2016 Integrated Pest Management (Part 10)
ANSI Z60.1 American Standard for Nursery Stock, American National Standards Institute, 2014
ANSI Z133 – 2012, Safety Standards for Arboriculture Operations
Planting Ornamentals, (Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension), 16 pages
Each of the Best Management Practices in the series published by the International Society of Arboriculture, including:
- Best Management Practices, Tree Planting 2005
- Best Management Practices, Tree Lightning Protection Systems, second edition 2008
- Best Management Practices, Tree and Shrub Fertilization 2007
- Best Management Practices, Managing Trees During Construction 2008
- Best Management Practices, Tree Support Systems: Cabling, Bracing and Guying and Propping second edition 2008
- Best Management Practices, Utility Pruning of Trees 2004 Best Management Practices, Tree Pruning second edition 2008
- Best Management Practices, Tree Inventories second edition 2013
- Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management second edition 2013
- Best Management Practices, Tree Risk Management 2011
Licensed Tree Care Operator Exam Reference List
The LTCO written examination questions are derived from information found in the following books.
ANSI A300 American National Standard for Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management, which includes:
2014 Pruning (Part 1),
ANSI Z133 – 2012, Safety Standards for Arboriculture Operations
The following Best Management Practice is in the series published by the International Society of Arboriculture:
- Best Management Practices, Tree Pruning second edition 2008
REFERENCES:
TCIA Tailgate Safety 6th Edition 2013 Tree Climber Specialists
Ground Operation Specialist Tree Care Apprentice
Chain Saw Specialist Chipper Operator Specialist Aerial Lift Specialist
ISA Arborists Certification Study Guide 2010, 3rd Edition Knots at Work – Jeff Jepson
To Fell a Tree – Jeff Jepson
The Tree Climbers Companion – Jeff Jepson