How to Identify and Classify Mahogany Trees - Test
  • 1. What is the primary distinguishing feature of genuine mahogany wood?
A) Wavy grain
B) Interlocked grain
C) Burl grain
D) Straight grain
  • 2. Which genus primarily contains commercially valuable mahogany species?
A) Cedrela
B) Swietenia
C) Khaya
D) Entandrophragma
  • 3. Where is Swietenia macrophylla (Big-leaf Mahogany) primarily found?
A) West Africa
B) Central and South America
C) Madagascar
D) Southeast Asia
  • 4. What is a common characteristic of mahogany leaves?
A) Pinnately compound
B) Palmately compound
C) Needle-like
D) Simple, entire
  • 5. Which characteristic is NOT typically used to identify mahogany?
A) Leaf shape
B) Flower color
C) Wood grain
D) Bark texture
  • 6. What is the Janka hardness scale used for?
A) Measuring soil pH
B) Measuring wood density and hardness
C) Measuring tree height
D) Measuring leaf size
  • 7. Which mahogany species is considered the most valuable?
A) Toona ciliata (Red Cedar)
B) Swietenia macrophylla (Big-leaf Mahogany)
C) Khaya senegalensis (African Mahogany)
D) Swietenia mahagoni (West Indian Mahogany)
  • 8. What is the typical color of freshly cut mahogany wood?
A) Yellow
B) Gray
C) Pinkish-brown
D) Green
  • 9. Which of these is a sustainable forestry certification?
A) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
B) FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
C) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
D) USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
  • 10. What does the term 'figure' refer to in wood identification?
A) The age of the tree
B) The pattern or appearance of the grain
C) The moisture content of the wood
D) The size of the tree
  • 11. How can you distinguish genuine mahogany from similar-looking woods like Sapele?
A) By weighing the wood
B) By looking at the tree height
C) By smelling the wood
D) By examining the end grain pattern
  • 12. What is a common use for mahogany wood?
A) Fine furniture
B) Paper pulp
C) Construction framing
D) Firewood
  • 13. What is the shape of the fruit of Swietenia species?
A) Capsule
B) Acorn
C) Berry
D) Drupe
  • 14. Which factor most significantly impacts the value of mahogany lumber?
A) Root depth
B) Tree age
C) Grain quality and figure
D) Leaf size
  • 15. What is the role of 'pores' in wood identification?
A) They determine the tree's height
B) They are responsible for the wood's color
C) They protect the tree from insects
D) They transport water and nutrients in the living tree
  • 16. Which of these is NOT a common characteristic used to identify trees in general?
A) Leaf shape
B) Soil type surrounding the tree
C) Bark characteristics
D) Branching pattern
  • 17. Why is sustainable harvesting of mahogany important?
A) To make furniture heavier
B) To change the color of the wood
C) To prevent deforestation and species endangerment
D) To increase the price of mahogany
  • 18. What climate is best suited for growing mahogany trees?
A) Tropical
B) Desert
C) Arctic
D) Temperate
  • 19. What is the term for the arrangement of leaves on a stem?
A) Dendrology
B) Morphology
C) Phyllotaxy
D) Taxonomy
  • 20. What is the impact of heartwood on wood durability?
A) Heartwood does not affect durability
B) Heartwood is more durable than sapwood
C) Heartwood is less durable than sapwood
D) Heartwood and sapwood have equal durability
  • 21. Which insect is a significant pest of mahogany trees?
A) Mahogany Shoot Borer
B) Termites
C) Aphids
D) Beetles
  • 22. What type of wood is Khaya often referred to as?
A) Canadian Mahogany
B) African Mahogany
C) Brazilian Mahogany
D) Philippine Mahogany
  • 23. What does 'quartersawn' lumber refer to?
A) Lumber cut parallel to the growth rings
B) Lumber cut from the center of the tree
C) Lumber cut perpendicular to the growth rings
D) Lumber treated with chemicals
  • 24. Which is a characteristic of seasoned mahogany wood?
A) Increased weight
B) Reduced moisture content
C) Increased susceptibility to decay
D) Brighter color
  • 25. What is 'sapwood'?
A) The outer, younger wood of the tree
B) The bark of the tree
C) The inner, older wood of the tree
D) The root system of the tree
  • 26. What are lenticels?
A) The leaves of the tree
B) Pores on the bark used for gas exchange
C) The roots of the tree
D) The seeds of the tree
  • 27. What is dendrology?
A) The study of insects
B) The study of climate
C) The study of rocks
D) The study of trees
  • 28. How can climate change impact mahogany populations?
A) Altering growing conditions and increasing pest infestations
B) Decreasing pest infestations
C) Improving wood quality
D) Increasing tree lifespan
  • 29. Which organization regulates the international trade of endangered species, including some mahogany?
A) NATO
B) UN
C) WHO
D) CITES
  • 30. What is a common method of propagating mahogany trees?
A) Grafting
B) Seeds
C) Layering
D) Budding
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