1. How do you feel about the importance of pruning in gardening?
A. It’s absolutely crucial.
B. It’s important, but not always necessary.
C. I’m still learning about its importance.
D. I don’t think it’s that important.
2. What makes you nervous about pruning your plants?
A. Making a mistake and damaging them.
B. Not knowing the right techniques.
C. Using the wrong tools.
D. Nothing, I feel confident.
3. How prepared are you for a big pruning task in your garden?
A. Very prepared, I have all the tools and knowledge.
B. Somewhat prepared, I know the basics.
C. Not very prepared, I need more information.
D. Not prepared at all.
4. When you think about pruning, what are you most concerned about?
A. Harmful effects on the plant’s health.
B. Improper cuts leading to disease.
C. Over or under-pruning.
D. I don’t have many concerns.
5. How comfortable are you using tools like secateurs or loppers for pruning?
A. Very comfortable, I use them regularly.
B. Somewhat comfortable, still getting used to them.
C. Not very comfortable, need more practice.
D. Not comfortable at all.
6. What is your favorite aspect of pruning?
A. Shaping the plant to how I want it.
B. Removing diseased parts to help it thrive.
C. The meditative, hands-on nature of it.
D. Seeing the results over time.
7. How do you handle the removal of deadwood from your trees?
A. Regularly and with care.
B. Only when it’s visibly necessary.
C. I should do it more often.
D. I rarely or never do it.
8. What do you dream about when it comes to your garden’s health?
A. A garden full of thriving, well-pruned plants.
B. No pests or diseases.
C. A beautiful layout with proper growth.
D. I don’t dream about my garden.
9. How confident are you in identifying the branch collar and branch bark ridge?
A. Very confident.
B. Somewhat confident.
C. Not too confident.
D. Not confident at all.
10. Which of the following is most accurate when it comes to your fruit tree pruning skills?
A. I’m experienced and skilled.
B. I’m familiar but not an expert.
C. I have basic knowledge.
D. I don’t know much at all.
11. What keeps you up at night about garden maintenance?
A. Pest and disease management.
B. Proper pruning and care.
C. Plant health and growth.
D. Nothing, I manage well.
12. You have a choice of loppers or secateurs, which do you choose?
A. Loppers, for thicker branches.
B. Secateurs, for smaller cuts.
C. Depends on the plant I’m pruning.
D. I’m not sure which to use.
13. When you were a kid, how did you help in the garden?
A. I helped with trimming and pruning.
B. I did basic chores like watering.
C. Occasionally helped, but didn’t focus on pruning.
D. I didn’t help much at all.
14. How often do you inspect your plants for signs of disease or damage?
A. Regularly, part of my routine.
B. Occasionally, as I think about it.
C. Rarely, I usually notice problems late.
D. Never, I don’t inspect them.
15. How would your friends and family describe your gardening habits?
A. Passionate and knowledgeable.
B. Enthusiastic but still learning.
C. Casual gardener.
D. Not much of a gardener.
16. In a perfect world, what would your garden look like?
A. Well-pruned and disease-free.
B. Full of colorful flowers and fruits.
C. Neatly arranged with diverse plants.
D. Just a place that requires minimal effort.
17. How do you handle the annual maintenance pruning for your plants?
A. With a detailed plan and regular schedule.
B. As needed throughout the year.
C. When I find time, not always regularly.
D. I usually forget or skip it.
18. A neighbor asks you for pruning advice, what’s your response?
A. Give detailed instructions and tips.
B. Share what little I know.
C. Advise them to look up some info.
D. Admit I don’t know much about it.
19. How connected do you feel to the process of pruning?
A. Very connected, it’s therapeutic.
B. Somewhat connected, I enjoy it.
C. Not very connected, it’s just a task.
D. Not connected at all.
20. Which of these pruning tasks are you most comfortable with?
A. Thinning out branches.
B. Top pruning a hedge.
C. Removing deadwood.
D. Crown thinning.
21. Do you have a systematic approach to pruning?
A. Yes, I follow a specific schedule and techniques.
B. I have a rough plan but it’s flexible.
C. It’s very spontaneous and irregular.
D. I don’t have any specific approach.
22. What is the trickiest part about pruning herbaceous plants for you?
A. Not damaging the plant while pruning.
B. Timing the cuts right.
C. Knowing how much to cut back.
D. Distinguishing between good and bad growth.
23. If you could choose any pruning tool, which one would you choose and why?
A. Chainsaw, for efficiency.
B. Secateurs, for precision.
C. Loppers, for medium jobs.
D. Pole pruner, for hard-to-reach branches.
24. How do you feel about using a pole pruner for high branches?
A. Confident and capable.
B. A bit uncertain but willing to try.
C. Prefer to avoid it.
D. Never used one, would need guidance.
25. Which of the following is most likely to frustrate you about pruning?
A. Slow healing of cuts.
B. Regrowth of unwanted branches.
C. Finding disease after pruning.
D. Misjudging the cuts.
26. How well do you manage the balance between pruning enough and not overdoing it?
A. Very well, I have a good sense of it.
B. I do okay but sometimes over or under-prune.
C. It’s a challenge for me.
D. I tend to avoid pruning for fear of mistakes.
27. What’s your idea of a perfectly pruned tree?
A. Balanced shape with healthy growth.
B. Free of all dead or diseased wood.
C. Supports fruit and flower production.
D. Looks natural and healthy.
28. When you are pruning, what is your biggest goal?
A. Health and longevity of the plant.
B. Aesthetics and shape.
C. Boosting flower and fruit production.
D. Just reducing overgrowth.
29. How do you feel about the necessity of crown raising in urban settings?
A. It’s essential for safety and aesthetics.
B. Important, but not always necessary.
C. Depends on the specific situation.
D. I’m not familiar with this term.
30. What’s your favorite memory related to pruning?
A. Successfully shaping a beautiful tree.
B. Learning techniques from a family member.
C. Restoring a neglected plant back to health.
D. Watching my garden flourish after pruning.
31. What is your current level of expertise in pruning ornamental plants?
A. Experienced and knowledgeable.
B. Competent but not an expert.
C. Beginners level.
D. No experience at all.
32. A branch is too high to reach and needs pruning, how do you proceed?
A. Use a pole pruner or call a professional.
B. Get a ladder and carefully do it myself.
C. Ask a friend or neighbor for help.
D. Avoid it and hope it’s not necessary.
33. How confident are you in performing a reduction cut?
A. Very confident, I know exactly what to do.
B. Somewhat confident, but still careful.
C. Not very confident, unsure of technique.
D. Not confident at all, need more practice.
34. Which of the following do you struggle with most when pruning?
A. Identifying the right branches to cut.
B. Using the pruning tools correctly.
C. Following a regular pruning schedule.
D. Avoiding over or under-pruning.
35. How often do you prune your fruit trees?
A. Regularly, according to seasonal needs.
B. Occasionally, when I remember.
C. Rarely, only when required.
D. Never, I don’t know how.
36. What is your absolute favorite pruning tool to use?
A. A sharp pair of secateurs.
B. Loppers for thicker branches.
C. A pruning saw for larger cuts.
D. Electric hedge trimmers.
37. Are you comfortable performing subordination pruning on your trees?
A. Yes, I understand the process well.
B. Somewhat, but I need more practice.
C. Not really, it’s confusing.
D. Not at all, I avoid it.
38. How well do you adhere to pruning guidelines for specific plant species?
A. Very well, I study and follow recommendations.
B. Generally follow, with some flexibility.
C. I sometimes forget or neglect the guidelines.
D. I don’t follow any specific guidelines.
39. Which of these pruning practices do you find most challenging?
A. Topping young trees.
B. Thinning out crowded branches.
C. Crown reduction.
D. Raising the canopy.
40. What is your biggest challenge with preventive structural pruning?
A. Identifying the proper cuts early.
B. Consistently following a schedule.
C. Understanding branching patterns.
D. Time and effort required.
41. Tell us a little about your approach to dealing with dead branches.
A. I remove them as soon as I see them.
B. I plan regular checks and removals.
C. I deal with them only if they become a problem.
D. I don’t focus much on dead branches.
42. How would you describe your relationship to pruning and plant health management?
A. Very involved and proactive.
B. Somewhat involved but learning.
C. Minimally involved, just the basics.
D. Not involved, I leave it up to nature.
43. What do you think is missing in your quest to become better at pruning?
A. More hands-on experience.
B. Instructional resources or courses.
C. The right tools.
D. Time and motivation.
44. Are you stuck in a particular way of pruning that you want to change?
A. Yes, looking for new methods.
B. I’m open to new techniques but comfortable with current ones.
C. Not really, I’m happy with my methods.
D. I’m not sure what to change.
45. What would you say are your top struggles right now related to pruning?
A. Knowing the right techniques.
B. Finding the time.
C. Getting the right tools.
D. Understanding different plant needs.
46. How often do you perform crown thinning on your plants?
A. Regularly, when needed.
B. Occasionally, when I see growth issues.
C. Rarely, I overlook it often.
D. Never, I don’t know how.
47. If you could waive a magic wand, what would the perfect outcome of pruning be for your garden?
A. Healthy, beautiful, and vigorous plant growth.
B. No pests or diseases.
C. Effortless maintenance and care.
D. I have no particular goals.
48. You are at a gardening workshop, and someone asks how you handle large pruning tasks. What’s the actual answer?
A. I plan and prepare beforehand carefully.
B. I ask for help if it’s overwhelming.
C. I tackle it bit by bit over time.
D. I usually avoid large tasks.
49. How do you determine your tree’s maintenance needs each season?
A. Through regular inspection and learning.
B. Following a general seasonal guide.
C. Asking experts or neighbors.
D. I don’t have a specific method.
50. What (gardening technique) do you most want to explore more deeply?
A. Advanced pruning techniques.
B. Integrated pest management.
C. Soil health and amendments.
D. Companion planting strategies.
51. What happened in the past when you neglected to prune your plants?
A. They grew out of control.
B. They became more susceptible to disease.
C. They didn’t produce as much fruit.
D. Nothing major, just some overgrowth.
52. Which member of the gardening community are you?
A. The expert, always ready with advice.
B. The learner, soaking up new info.
C. The hobbyist, enjoys gardening casually.
D. The bystander, watches others garden.
53. Someone asks about your plant health, what’s the actual answer?
A. They’re thriving, thanks to regular care.
B. They’re doing okay, but could be better.
C. They need more attention than I give.
D. I don’t really focus on plant health.
54. How do you manage the annual pruning of your orchard?
A. With a well-organized plan and schedule.
B. Go with the flow, adjust as needed.
C. Ask for professional help.
D. I don’t manage it actively.
55. Which of these pruning issues is most likely to be a struggle for you?
A. Making exact cuts without causing damage.
B. Understanding different pruning techniques.
C. Keeping up with regular maintenance.
D. Using the right tools properly.
56. How (accurate and effective) do you feel in your pruning work?
A. Very accurate and effective.
B. Fairly good, but always room for improvement.
C. Not very precise, still learning.
D. Quite inexperienced.
57. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see an overgrown shrub?
A. I need to prune it immediately.
B. It needs careful trimming.
C. It might need a professional touch.
D. It’s fine as it is.
58. What pruning tasks or techniques are you most passionate about?
A. Shaping ornamental plants.
B. Boosting fruit production.
C. Creating a balanced and healthy plant.
D. Reducing disease risk.
59. How well do you handle pruning delicate plants like roses?
A. Very well, they flourish under my care.
B. Pretty well, but always learning.
C. With some difficulty.
D. Not well, I need more practice.
60. What affects you the most when it comes to pruning?
A. Potential damage to the plant.
B. The complexity of the task.
C. Lack of clear guidelines.
D. The time and effort required.