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