CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What are witness trees used for in land surveying?

1. Measuring tree height

2. Evidence for corner location

3. Determining soil types

4. Marking property boundaries

The correct answer is: Evidence for corner location

Witness trees serve a crucial purpose in land surveying as they provide evidence for corner location. Historically, surveyors would mark trees that were near property corners or boundaries. These trees, known as witness trees, were often referenced in survey records, and their locations were used as a reliable means to identify the boundary lines of properties. Witness trees are typically older, stable trees whose positions can be referenced during future surveys. Their presence provides tangible, natural markers that help re-establish property boundaries, especially in regions where physical markers or monuments may have deteriorated or been removed over the years. Therefore, when a surveyor refers to a witness tree, they are essentially using it as historical evidence or corroboration to confirm the location of land boundaries and corners originally established. The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary function of witness trees within land surveying. For example, measuring tree height involves different methods and tools, and determining soil types does not relate to the physical location of corners or boundaries. While marking property boundaries may sound similar, it lacks the specific historical and evidentiary context provided by witness trees that is integral to their role in surveying.