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