Certified Arborist Practice Exam

Which characteristics constitute aesthetic plant characteristics?

1. Growth habits

2. Bark texture, flowers, fruit, smell, color

3. Upright, pyramidal, and weeping

4. Overall physical health

The correct answer is: Bark texture, flowers, fruit, smell, color

The characteristics that constitute aesthetic plant characteristics are primarily related to the visual and sensory appeal of the plant. Bark texture, flowers, fruit, smell, and color all contribute significantly to the aesthetic value of a plant. These features are often what attract attention and elicit emotional responses, making them crucial in gardening and landscape design. While growth habits can influence the overall design of a landscape and specific uses of the plant in that context, they do not directly contribute to the sensory experience. Similarly, descriptors like upright, pyramidal, and weeping relate to growth habits and forms, which are more about structure than aesthetic enjoyment. Overall physical health, while important for plant longevity and vitality, does not inherently alter the aesthetic qualities of the plant.