North Carolina Landscape Contractor Practice Newest
Exam | 150 Questions with Answers | NC License Prep
2026 | PDF
Topic Questions
1 Plant Identification & Selection 1-25
2 Soil Science & Fertilization 26-50
3 Irrigation & Water Management 51-75
4 Landscape Installation & Construction 76-100
5 Pest Management & Plant Health 101-125
6 Business, Regulations & Safety 126-150
Total 150
OVERVEIW
Comprehensive exam for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor licensing test.
150 questions covering plant identification, soil science, irrigation, installation,
pest management, and NC regulations.
Includes:
Native NC plants and invasive species
Soil testing and fertilization (N-P-K, pH)
Irrigation design, backflow prevention, smart controllers
Planting techniques, retaining walls, paver installation
IPM, pest ID, disease control
NC licensing, bonds, contracts, liens, safety
,Section 1: Plant Identification & Selection (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is a native North Carolina tree known for its brilliant
fall color?
a) Norway maple
b) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
c) Bradford pear
d) Mimosa
Red maple is native to NC and provides excellent red-orange fall color, unlike
invasive or non-native species.
2. Which evergreen tree is commonly used as a screening plant in North
Carolina landscapes?
a) White birch
b) Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)
c) Weeping willow
d) River birch
Leyland cypress grows quickly and densely, making it popular for privacy screens
despite potential disease issues.
3. What is the botanical name for the Southern magnolia?
a) Magnolia stellata
b) Magnolia grandiflora
c) Magnolia soulangeana
d) Magnolia virginiana
Magnolia grandiflora is the evergreen Southern magnolia native to the
southeastern United States.
4. Which of the following shrubs is known for its tolerance of deep shade in
North Carolina?
a) Azalea
b) Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
c) Forsythia
d) Spirea
Aucuba thrives in deep shade where many other shrubs fail, making it valuable
for wooded landscape areas.
5. What is the common name for Lagerstroemia indica?
a) Dogwood
,b) Redbud
c) Crape myrtle
d) Magnolia
Crape myrtle is a popular flowering tree in NC, known for summer blooms and
attractive bark.
6. Which native NC flowering tree is known for its white spring blooms before
leaves emerge?
a) Crape myrtle
b) Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
c) Japanese maple
d) Ginkgo
Dogwood is the state flower of North Carolina and blooms early spring with
distinctive white or pink bracts.
7. Which grass is best suited for a low-maintenance lawn in the Piedmont region
of NC?
a) Bermuda grass
b) Tall fescue
c) Centipede grass
d) Zoysia grass
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that performs well in the Piedmont's transition
zone with proper maintenance.
8. Which plant is considered invasive in North Carolina and should be avoided?
a) Eastern redbud
b) English ivy (Hedera helix)
c) Oakleaf hydrangea
d) Virginia creeper
English ivy escapes cultivation and smothers native vegetation; it is listed as an
invasive species in NC.
9. Which palm is cold-hardy and commonly planted in coastal North Carolina?
a) Coconut palm
b) Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
c) Date palm
d) Royal palm
*Windmill palm tolerates temperatures down to 10°F, making it suitable for USDA
zones 7b-8a in coastal NC.*
, 10. What is the botanical name for the native North Carolina oak that produces
acorns used by wildlife?
a) Quercus palustris
b) Quercus alba (white oak)
c) Quercus rubra
d) Quercus phellos
White oak is native to NC, produces sweet acorns, and is a valuable timber and
wildlife tree.
11. Which ground cover is recommended for erosion control on shady slopes in
NC?
a) Bermuda grass
b) Liriope (Liriope muscari)
c) Pachysandra
d) English ivy
Liriope is non-invasive, tolerates shade, and has fibrous roots that stabilize soil
on slopes.
12. Which azalea type is native to North Carolina?
a) Kurume azalea
b) Pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
c) Southern Indian azalea
d) Satsuki azalea
Pinxterbloom is a native deciduous azalea found throughout NC woodlands,
unlike many Asian hybrids.
13. What is the mature height of a typical 'Natchez' crape myrtle?
a) 5-10 feet
b) 15-25 feet
c) 30-40 feet
d) 50+ feet
*'Natchez' is a large cultivar reaching 15-25 feet with white flowers and
exfoliating bark.*
14. Which tree is NOT recommended for planting under power lines in NC?
a) Dogwood
b) Redbud
c) Oak
d) Crape myrtle (dwarf)
Exam | 150 Questions with Answers | NC License Prep
2026 | PDF
Topic Questions
1 Plant Identification & Selection 1-25
2 Soil Science & Fertilization 26-50
3 Irrigation & Water Management 51-75
4 Landscape Installation & Construction 76-100
5 Pest Management & Plant Health 101-125
6 Business, Regulations & Safety 126-150
Total 150
OVERVEIW
Comprehensive exam for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor licensing test.
150 questions covering plant identification, soil science, irrigation, installation,
pest management, and NC regulations.
Includes:
Native NC plants and invasive species
Soil testing and fertilization (N-P-K, pH)
Irrigation design, backflow prevention, smart controllers
Planting techniques, retaining walls, paver installation
IPM, pest ID, disease control
NC licensing, bonds, contracts, liens, safety
,Section 1: Plant Identification & Selection (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is a native North Carolina tree known for its brilliant
fall color?
a) Norway maple
b) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
c) Bradford pear
d) Mimosa
Red maple is native to NC and provides excellent red-orange fall color, unlike
invasive or non-native species.
2. Which evergreen tree is commonly used as a screening plant in North
Carolina landscapes?
a) White birch
b) Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)
c) Weeping willow
d) River birch
Leyland cypress grows quickly and densely, making it popular for privacy screens
despite potential disease issues.
3. What is the botanical name for the Southern magnolia?
a) Magnolia stellata
b) Magnolia grandiflora
c) Magnolia soulangeana
d) Magnolia virginiana
Magnolia grandiflora is the evergreen Southern magnolia native to the
southeastern United States.
4. Which of the following shrubs is known for its tolerance of deep shade in
North Carolina?
a) Azalea
b) Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
c) Forsythia
d) Spirea
Aucuba thrives in deep shade where many other shrubs fail, making it valuable
for wooded landscape areas.
5. What is the common name for Lagerstroemia indica?
a) Dogwood
,b) Redbud
c) Crape myrtle
d) Magnolia
Crape myrtle is a popular flowering tree in NC, known for summer blooms and
attractive bark.
6. Which native NC flowering tree is known for its white spring blooms before
leaves emerge?
a) Crape myrtle
b) Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
c) Japanese maple
d) Ginkgo
Dogwood is the state flower of North Carolina and blooms early spring with
distinctive white or pink bracts.
7. Which grass is best suited for a low-maintenance lawn in the Piedmont region
of NC?
a) Bermuda grass
b) Tall fescue
c) Centipede grass
d) Zoysia grass
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that performs well in the Piedmont's transition
zone with proper maintenance.
8. Which plant is considered invasive in North Carolina and should be avoided?
a) Eastern redbud
b) English ivy (Hedera helix)
c) Oakleaf hydrangea
d) Virginia creeper
English ivy escapes cultivation and smothers native vegetation; it is listed as an
invasive species in NC.
9. Which palm is cold-hardy and commonly planted in coastal North Carolina?
a) Coconut palm
b) Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
c) Date palm
d) Royal palm
*Windmill palm tolerates temperatures down to 10°F, making it suitable for USDA
zones 7b-8a in coastal NC.*
, 10. What is the botanical name for the native North Carolina oak that produces
acorns used by wildlife?
a) Quercus palustris
b) Quercus alba (white oak)
c) Quercus rubra
d) Quercus phellos
White oak is native to NC, produces sweet acorns, and is a valuable timber and
wildlife tree.
11. Which ground cover is recommended for erosion control on shady slopes in
NC?
a) Bermuda grass
b) Liriope (Liriope muscari)
c) Pachysandra
d) English ivy
Liriope is non-invasive, tolerates shade, and has fibrous roots that stabilize soil
on slopes.
12. Which azalea type is native to North Carolina?
a) Kurume azalea
b) Pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
c) Southern Indian azalea
d) Satsuki azalea
Pinxterbloom is a native deciduous azalea found throughout NC woodlands,
unlike many Asian hybrids.
13. What is the mature height of a typical 'Natchez' crape myrtle?
a) 5-10 feet
b) 15-25 feet
c) 30-40 feet
d) 50+ feet
*'Natchez' is a large cultivar reaching 15-25 feet with white flowers and
exfoliating bark.*
14. Which tree is NOT recommended for planting under power lines in NC?
a) Dogwood
b) Redbud
c) Oak
d) Crape myrtle (dwarf)
