How to Identify and Classify Hickory Trees
  • 1. What leaf arrangement is typical for hickory trees?
A) Whorled
B) Alternate
C) Opposite
D) Subopposite
  • 2. Hickory trees belong to what plant family?
A) Fagaceae
B) Aceraceae
C) Juglandaceae
D) Betulaceae
  • 3. What is the most distinctive feature for initial hickory identification?
A) Needle-like leaves
B) Scale-like leaves
C) Compound leaves
D) Simple leaves
  • 4. What type of fruit do hickory trees produce?
A) Nuts
B) Samaras
C) Acorns
D) Berries
  • 5. Which hickory species has shaggy bark?
A) Bitternut Hickory
B) Shagbark Hickory
C) Mockernut Hickory
D) Pignut Hickory
  • 6. What is the typical number of leaflets on a Shagbark Hickory leaf?
A) 9-11
B) 7-9
C) 3
D) 5
  • 7. Which hickory is known for its relatively smooth bark when young?
A) Red Hickory
B) Pignut Hickory
C) Shellbark Hickory
D) Shagbark Hickory
  • 8. What does 'pignut' refer to in Pignut Hickory's name?
A) Unpalatable nut
B) Size of the nut
C) Color of the nut
D) Shape of the nut
  • 9. Which hickory has buds that are a distinct sulfur-yellow color?
A) Pecan
B) Shellbark Hickory
C) Bitternut Hickory
D) Mockernut Hickory
  • 10. How many leaflets are typically found on a Bitternut Hickory leaf?
A) 7-11
B) 5
C) 9-13
D) 3
  • 11. What is a key characteristic of Mockernut Hickory's nut husk?
A) Thin husk
B) Winged husk
C) Thick husk
D) Scaly husk
  • 12. Which hickory is known for having the largest nuts?
A) Shellbark Hickory
B) Pignut Hickory
C) Bitternut Hickory
D) Mockernut Hickory
  • 13. Shellbark Hickory typically has how many leaflets?
A) 7-9
B) 3
C) 9-11
D) 5
  • 14. Which hickory is commonly cultivated for its edible nuts?
A) Bitternut Hickory
B) Pignut Hickory
C) Shagbark Hickory
D) Pecan
  • 15. Pecan leaves usually have how many leaflets?
A) 7-9
B) 3-5
C) 9-17
D) 5-7
  • 16. What is a defining characteristic of pecan bark on mature trees?
A) Smooth
B) Deeply furrowed
C) Papery peeling
D) Shaggy
  • 17. Where are hickory trees typically found?
A) Western North America
B) Europe
C) Eastern North America
D) Australia
  • 18. What is the primary use of hickory wood?
A) Paper production
B) Fuelwood only
C) Furniture (softwoods)
D) Tool handles
  • 19. What type of soil do hickories generally prefer?
A) Well-drained
B) Compacted clay
C) Salty
D) Poorly drained
  • 20. What is the shape of a Pignut Hickory nut?
A) Round
B) Pear-shaped
C) Square
D) Oblong
  • 21. How can you distinguish between Shagbark and Shellbark Hickory bark?
A) Shellbark is smooth
B) Shagbark has smaller, tighter plates.
C) Shagbark has no peeling bark
D) Shellbark has no fissures
  • 22. Bitternut Hickory nuts are known for their:
A) Sweet taste
B) No taste
C) Bitter taste
D) Salty taste
  • 23. What is the texture of a Mockernut Hickory nut's shell?
A) Smooth and waxy
B) Hard and thick
C) Soft and fleshy
D) Thin and papery
  • 24. What is the typical lifespan of a hickory tree?
A) 200-300 years
B) 10-20 years
C) 50-100 years
D) 500+ years
  • 25. Which of these is NOT a characteristic used for hickory identification?
A) Leaflet number
B) Bark texture
C) Nut shape
D) Flower color
  • 26. What is the role of hickories in the ecosystem?
A) Wildlife food source
B) Primary source of lumber
C) Nitrogen fixation
D) Erosion control
  • 27. What causes the 'shag' on a Shagbark Hickory?
A) Moss growth
B) Insect damage
C) Exfoliating bark
D) Fungal infection
  • 28. What is a common pest of hickory trees?
A) Spruce Budworm
B) Gypsy Moth
C) Hickory Shuckworm
D) Emerald Ash Borer
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