NORTH CAROLINA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
LICENSE NEWEST PRACTICE EXAM 200
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLAINED ANSWERS | INSTANT PDF
DOWNLOAD
multiple-choice exam for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor license, complete with
explanations. The questions are divided into sections reflecting key areas of the exam: Plant
Identification & Culture, Soils & Nutrition, Pest & Disease Management, Hardscape &
Construction, Irrigation, Business & Law, and Safety.
Section 1: Plant Identification & Culture
1. A client wants a fast-growing, deciduous shade tree that provides vibrant orange-
red fall color. Which of the following is the most suitable recommendation?
A) Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
B) Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
C) Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)
D) Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a fast-growing native tree prized for its brilliant
red to orange-red fall color. Willow Oak (A) has yellow to russet fall color. Loblolly Pine (C)
is an evergreen conifer. Flowering Dogwood (D) is a small understory tree with red fall color
but is slow-growing.
2. When transplanting a container-grown, large evergreen shrub like a Holly in the
summer, what is the most critical practice to ensure survival?
A) Applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer at planting.
B) Pruning the top growth by 50% to balance root loss.
C) Ensuring the root flare is at or slightly above the soil grade.
D) Amending the backfill soil with 50% organic matter.
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Planting too deep is a leading cause of plant death. The root flare must be
visible and at grade to prevent stem rot and girdling roots. Pruning (B) is not necessary for
container-grown plants. Fertilizing (A) at planting can burn new roots. Amending (D) can
create a "bathtub" effect, hindering root establishment into native soil.
3. Which of the following turfgrasses is a warm-season grass best adapted to the
Piedmont region of North Carolina?
A) Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
B) Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
C) Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
D) Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the hot summers of
the NC Piedmont. Tall Fescue (A) is a cool-season grass, best for the mountains and
transition zone. Kentucky Bluegrass (B) and Perennial Ryegrass (D) are cool-season
grasses that struggle in NC summers without significant irrigation.
4. A client complains that their established Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
sends up numerous shoots from the base and has few flowers. What is the most
likely cause?
A) Powdery mildew infection.
B) Over-fertilization with phosphorus.
C) "Crape Murder" – severe improper pruning.
D) Planting in full sun.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Severe heading cuts (topping), known as "Crape Murder," causes the tree
to produce excessive sucker growth (epicormic shoots) and delays flowering. The tree
prioritizes vegetative growth over reproductive growth.
5. Which plant is considered an invasive exotic species in North Carolina that should
be avoided in landscapes?
A) Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
B) Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice)
C) Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)
D) Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper) is a non-native, aggressive vine that
,climbs trees and smothers native groundcover. It is classified as invasive. The other options
are native or non-invasive ornamentals.
6. What is the primary function of xylem tissue in a woody plant?
A) Transport of sugars from leaves to roots.
B) Transport of water and minerals from roots to leaves.
C) Gas exchange through the lenticels.
D) Storage of starches in the root system.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Xylem is responsible for the upward transport of water and dissolved
minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. Phloem (A) transports sugars.
7. When is the ideal time to prune most spring-flowering shrubs, such as Azaleas and
Forsythia?
A) Late winter, while the plant is dormant.
B) Immediately after they finish flowering.
C) During the summer, after new growth hardens.
D) In the fall, before leaf drop.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spring-flowering shrubs set their flower buds on "old wood" (the previous
year's growth). Pruning in late winter would remove the flower buds. Pruning right after
flowering allows the plant to produce new growth for next year's flowers.
8. A client wants a native, evergreen groundcover for a deeply shaded area with dry
soil under oak trees. Which is the best choice?
A) Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)
B) Hedera helix (English Ivy)
C) Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)
D) Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Mitchella repens is a native, slow-growing, evergreen groundcover that
thrives in dry shade. While Liriope (A) is shade-tolerant, it's not native. English Ivy (B) is
invasive. Pachysandra (C) is a non-native that can struggle in very dry shade.
9. What does "hardening off" refer to in nursery production and transplanting?
A) The process of making plants resistant to pests.
B) The process of acclimating plants to outdoor conditions after being grown in a
greenhouse.
, C) Applying a hard, protective coating to the stems of young trees.
D) The final stage of wood formation in a tree trunk.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hardening off is the gradual process of exposing greenhouse-grown plants
to increased sunlight, wind, and temperature fluctuations to prepare them for the stress of
transplanting into the landscape.
10. Which of the following is a characteristic of a "heavy" or clay soil?
A) High porosity and rapid drainage.
B) Small particle size and high nutrient-holding capacity.
C) Excellent aeration for root growth.
D) Low water-holding capacity.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Clay soils have very small, flat particles that pack tightly together. This
results in high surface area for nutrient retention (cation exchange capacity) but poor
drainage and aeration.
11. A client has a Leyland Cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) hedge that is turning
brown from the inside out. What is the most common cause?
A) Lack of water.
B) Over-fertilization.
C) Lack of sunlight penetration due to dense growth.
D) Deer browsing.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Leyland Cypress is a dense, fast-growing conifer. Interior foliage naturally
dies back due to lack of sunlight. This is a normal process, though it can be exacerbated by
planting them too close together.
12. The term "deciduous" refers to plants that:
A) Retain their leaves year-round.
B) Lose their leaves annually.
C) Have needles instead of broad leaves.
D) Produce showy flowers.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Deciduous plants shed their leaves each fall or winter in response to
environmental cues like temperature and day length. Evergreen plants (A) retain foliage
year-round.
LICENSE NEWEST PRACTICE EXAM 200
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLAINED ANSWERS | INSTANT PDF
DOWNLOAD
multiple-choice exam for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor license, complete with
explanations. The questions are divided into sections reflecting key areas of the exam: Plant
Identification & Culture, Soils & Nutrition, Pest & Disease Management, Hardscape &
Construction, Irrigation, Business & Law, and Safety.
Section 1: Plant Identification & Culture
1. A client wants a fast-growing, deciduous shade tree that provides vibrant orange-
red fall color. Which of the following is the most suitable recommendation?
A) Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
B) Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
C) Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)
D) Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a fast-growing native tree prized for its brilliant
red to orange-red fall color. Willow Oak (A) has yellow to russet fall color. Loblolly Pine (C)
is an evergreen conifer. Flowering Dogwood (D) is a small understory tree with red fall color
but is slow-growing.
2. When transplanting a container-grown, large evergreen shrub like a Holly in the
summer, what is the most critical practice to ensure survival?
A) Applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer at planting.
B) Pruning the top growth by 50% to balance root loss.
C) Ensuring the root flare is at or slightly above the soil grade.
D) Amending the backfill soil with 50% organic matter.
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Planting too deep is a leading cause of plant death. The root flare must be
visible and at grade to prevent stem rot and girdling roots. Pruning (B) is not necessary for
container-grown plants. Fertilizing (A) at planting can burn new roots. Amending (D) can
create a "bathtub" effect, hindering root establishment into native soil.
3. Which of the following turfgrasses is a warm-season grass best adapted to the
Piedmont region of North Carolina?
A) Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
B) Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
C) Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
D) Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the hot summers of
the NC Piedmont. Tall Fescue (A) is a cool-season grass, best for the mountains and
transition zone. Kentucky Bluegrass (B) and Perennial Ryegrass (D) are cool-season
grasses that struggle in NC summers without significant irrigation.
4. A client complains that their established Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
sends up numerous shoots from the base and has few flowers. What is the most
likely cause?
A) Powdery mildew infection.
B) Over-fertilization with phosphorus.
C) "Crape Murder" – severe improper pruning.
D) Planting in full sun.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Severe heading cuts (topping), known as "Crape Murder," causes the tree
to produce excessive sucker growth (epicormic shoots) and delays flowering. The tree
prioritizes vegetative growth over reproductive growth.
5. Which plant is considered an invasive exotic species in North Carolina that should
be avoided in landscapes?
A) Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
B) Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice)
C) Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)
D) Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper) is a non-native, aggressive vine that
,climbs trees and smothers native groundcover. It is classified as invasive. The other options
are native or non-invasive ornamentals.
6. What is the primary function of xylem tissue in a woody plant?
A) Transport of sugars from leaves to roots.
B) Transport of water and minerals from roots to leaves.
C) Gas exchange through the lenticels.
D) Storage of starches in the root system.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Xylem is responsible for the upward transport of water and dissolved
minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. Phloem (A) transports sugars.
7. When is the ideal time to prune most spring-flowering shrubs, such as Azaleas and
Forsythia?
A) Late winter, while the plant is dormant.
B) Immediately after they finish flowering.
C) During the summer, after new growth hardens.
D) In the fall, before leaf drop.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spring-flowering shrubs set their flower buds on "old wood" (the previous
year's growth). Pruning in late winter would remove the flower buds. Pruning right after
flowering allows the plant to produce new growth for next year's flowers.
8. A client wants a native, evergreen groundcover for a deeply shaded area with dry
soil under oak trees. Which is the best choice?
A) Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)
B) Hedera helix (English Ivy)
C) Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)
D) Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Mitchella repens is a native, slow-growing, evergreen groundcover that
thrives in dry shade. While Liriope (A) is shade-tolerant, it's not native. English Ivy (B) is
invasive. Pachysandra (C) is a non-native that can struggle in very dry shade.
9. What does "hardening off" refer to in nursery production and transplanting?
A) The process of making plants resistant to pests.
B) The process of acclimating plants to outdoor conditions after being grown in a
greenhouse.
, C) Applying a hard, protective coating to the stems of young trees.
D) The final stage of wood formation in a tree trunk.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hardening off is the gradual process of exposing greenhouse-grown plants
to increased sunlight, wind, and temperature fluctuations to prepare them for the stress of
transplanting into the landscape.
10. Which of the following is a characteristic of a "heavy" or clay soil?
A) High porosity and rapid drainage.
B) Small particle size and high nutrient-holding capacity.
C) Excellent aeration for root growth.
D) Low water-holding capacity.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Clay soils have very small, flat particles that pack tightly together. This
results in high surface area for nutrient retention (cation exchange capacity) but poor
drainage and aeration.
11. A client has a Leyland Cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) hedge that is turning
brown from the inside out. What is the most common cause?
A) Lack of water.
B) Over-fertilization.
C) Lack of sunlight penetration due to dense growth.
D) Deer browsing.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Leyland Cypress is a dense, fast-growing conifer. Interior foliage naturally
dies back due to lack of sunlight. This is a normal process, though it can be exacerbated by
planting them too close together.
12. The term "deciduous" refers to plants that:
A) Retain their leaves year-round.
B) Lose their leaves annually.
C) Have needles instead of broad leaves.
D) Produce showy flowers.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Deciduous plants shed their leaves each fall or winter in response to
environmental cues like temperature and day length. Evergreen plants (A) retain foliage
year-round.
