Certified Arborist Practice Test 2025 – The Comprehensive All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

Leaning trees resulting from ground failure or root injury do indeed carry a high potential for failure. When the ground beneath a tree shifts or when its roots are damaged, the tree loses critical support. This can significantly reduce its stability and increase the likelihood of the tree toppling over, especially under stress conditions such as heavy winds or saturated soil.

In such scenarios, the integrity of the tree is compromised. The weakened root system may not anchor the tree securely, making it more vulnerable to falling. It's important to recognize that the higher the lean angle and the more significant the underlying issues with the root system, the greater the risk of failure.

Other choices present alternative considerations that, while relevant in certain contexts, do not change the fundamental risk that leaning trees signify due to compromised structure and support. Thus, the correct answer acknowledges the inherent risk associated with leaning trees from root injury or ground failure.