North Carolina Landscape Contractor Practice Exam
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Section 1: Plant Identification & Selection
1. What is the scientific name for the native North Carolina state tree?
A) Quercus alba
B) Pinus taeda
C) Cornus florida
D) Liriodendron tulipifera
Answer: C) Cornus florida
Explanation: The North Carolina state tree is the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). It is
a native understory tree known for its showy white to pink spring blooms. Liriodendron
tulipifera (tulip poplar) is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
2. Which of the following trees is best suited for planting in the coastal plain
region of North Carolina?
A) Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)
,B) Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
C) Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
D) White pine (Pinus strobus)
Answer: B) Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
Explanation: Live oak is native to the coastal plain and is highly tolerant of salt spray,
sandy soils, and coastal conditions. Fraser fir is native to the mountains, sugar maple is
more common in the piedmont and mountains, and white pine is adaptable but not as
salt-tolerant as live oak.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a "deciduous" plant?
A) Retains leaves year-round
B) Loses leaves annually in the fall
C) Has needle-like leaves
D) Produces cones
Answer: B) Loses leaves annually in the fall
Explanation: Deciduous plants shed their leaves each autumn in response to shorter days
and cooler temperatures. Evergreen plants retain leaves year-round. Needle-like leaves
and cones are characteristic of conifers, which can be either deciduous or evergreen.
4. Which native North Carolina shrub is known for its brilliant red fall foliage and
red berries that persist into winter?
A) Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
B) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
C) Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
D) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
,Answer: D) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Explanation: Red chokeberry is a native North Carolina shrub that produces brilliant red
fall foliage and bright red berries that persist through winter, providing food for birds.
Azalea and mountain laurel are known for spring flowers; Virginia creeper is a vine.
5. What is the primary consideration when selecting a tree for planting under
power lines?
A) Fall color
B) Mature height
C) Growth rate
D) Flower color
Answer: B) Mature height
*Explanation: When planting under power lines, it is critical to select trees with a mature
height of less than 25 feet to avoid conflicts with overhead utilities. Large-maturing
trees planted under power lines will require repeated pruning, which can damage the
tree and create safety hazards.*
6. Which grass species is the most cold-tolerant and commonly used for lawns in
the North Carolina mountains?
A) Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
B) Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.)
C) Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
D) Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)
Answer: C) Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Explanation: Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that is well-adapted to the cooler
, temperatures of the North Carolina mountains. Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and
centipedegrass are warm-season grasses better suited to the piedmont and coastal plain.
7. Which of the following plants is considered invasive in North Carolina?
A) Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
B) Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
C) English ivy (Hedera helix)
D) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Answer: C) English ivy (Hedera helix)
Explanation: English ivy is an aggressive, non-native invasive plant that spreads rapidly,
smothers native vegetation, and can damage trees and structures. It is listed as an invasive
species in North Carolina. The other options are native or non-invasive.
8. What is the term for the area immediately surrounding a tree's trunk that
should not be disturbed?
A) Root flare
B) Critical root zone
C) Drip line
D) Mulch volcano
Answer: B) Critical root zone
Explanation: The critical root zone (CRZ) is the area around a tree where the majority of
the tree's roots are located, typically extending to the drip line. Construction, excavation,
and soil compaction within the CRZ can cause significant damage or death to the tree.
Version Actual Questions with Answers and Rationales|
Instant Download PDF.
Section 1: Plant Identification & Selection
1. What is the scientific name for the native North Carolina state tree?
A) Quercus alba
B) Pinus taeda
C) Cornus florida
D) Liriodendron tulipifera
Answer: C) Cornus florida
Explanation: The North Carolina state tree is the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). It is
a native understory tree known for its showy white to pink spring blooms. Liriodendron
tulipifera (tulip poplar) is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
2. Which of the following trees is best suited for planting in the coastal plain
region of North Carolina?
A) Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)
,B) Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
C) Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
D) White pine (Pinus strobus)
Answer: B) Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
Explanation: Live oak is native to the coastal plain and is highly tolerant of salt spray,
sandy soils, and coastal conditions. Fraser fir is native to the mountains, sugar maple is
more common in the piedmont and mountains, and white pine is adaptable but not as
salt-tolerant as live oak.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a "deciduous" plant?
A) Retains leaves year-round
B) Loses leaves annually in the fall
C) Has needle-like leaves
D) Produces cones
Answer: B) Loses leaves annually in the fall
Explanation: Deciduous plants shed their leaves each autumn in response to shorter days
and cooler temperatures. Evergreen plants retain leaves year-round. Needle-like leaves
and cones are characteristic of conifers, which can be either deciduous or evergreen.
4. Which native North Carolina shrub is known for its brilliant red fall foliage and
red berries that persist into winter?
A) Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
B) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
C) Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
D) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
,Answer: D) Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Explanation: Red chokeberry is a native North Carolina shrub that produces brilliant red
fall foliage and bright red berries that persist through winter, providing food for birds.
Azalea and mountain laurel are known for spring flowers; Virginia creeper is a vine.
5. What is the primary consideration when selecting a tree for planting under
power lines?
A) Fall color
B) Mature height
C) Growth rate
D) Flower color
Answer: B) Mature height
*Explanation: When planting under power lines, it is critical to select trees with a mature
height of less than 25 feet to avoid conflicts with overhead utilities. Large-maturing
trees planted under power lines will require repeated pruning, which can damage the
tree and create safety hazards.*
6. Which grass species is the most cold-tolerant and commonly used for lawns in
the North Carolina mountains?
A) Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
B) Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.)
C) Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
D) Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)
Answer: C) Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Explanation: Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that is well-adapted to the cooler
, temperatures of the North Carolina mountains. Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and
centipedegrass are warm-season grasses better suited to the piedmont and coastal plain.
7. Which of the following plants is considered invasive in North Carolina?
A) Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
B) Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
C) English ivy (Hedera helix)
D) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Answer: C) English ivy (Hedera helix)
Explanation: English ivy is an aggressive, non-native invasive plant that spreads rapidly,
smothers native vegetation, and can damage trees and structures. It is listed as an invasive
species in North Carolina. The other options are native or non-invasive.
8. What is the term for the area immediately surrounding a tree's trunk that
should not be disturbed?
A) Root flare
B) Critical root zone
C) Drip line
D) Mulch volcano
Answer: B) Critical root zone
Explanation: The critical root zone (CRZ) is the area around a tree where the majority of
the tree's roots are located, typically extending to the drip line. Construction, excavation,
and soil compaction within the CRZ can cause significant damage or death to the tree.
