North Carolina (NC) Landscape Contractor
Exam Prep | Practice Questions with Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales | NC
Landscape Contractor Licensing Study Guide
Question 1
hybrid
Correct Answer
a plant resulting from crossing two plants of the same type that have different
individual characteristics for a desired trait often resulting in hybrid vigor
Question 2
Cultivar
Correct Answer
A term meaning "cultivated variety" to indicate a specific type of plant developed
and maintained under cultivation.
Question 3
Caliper
Correct Answer
diameter of a tree 4" or less measured 6" above the ground
Greater than 4" is measured 12" above the ground
Question 4
Common Name
Correct Answer
The plant name used by the general public
Page 1 of 225
,Question 5
insecticide
Correct Answer
a material toxic to insects by contact and or stomach poisoning
Page 2 of 225
,Question 6
Cambium
Correct Answer
layer of actively dividing cells between xylem and phloem tissues that is responsible
for the secondary growth of stems and roots
Question 1: Which of the following turfgrass species is generally considered the
most drought-tolerant for a residential landscape installation in the transition zone of
North Carolina?
A. Kentucky Bluegrass
B. Tall Fescue
C. Centipedegrass
D. St. Augustinegrass
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tall Fescue
Rationale: Tall fescue is a cool-season turfgrass that features a deep root system,
allowing it to extract moisture from deeper soil profiles compared to shallow-rooted
cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, making it well-suited and widely used
in North Carolina's transition zone.
Question 2: According to standard landscape grading practices, what is the
minimum recommended slope percentage away from a residential building
foundation to ensure positive surface drainage?
A. 0.5 percent
B. 1.0 percent
C. 2.0 percent
D. 5.0 percent
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 5.0 percent
Rationale: Standard construction and landscaping guidelines typically recommend a
minimum slope of 5 percent (or approximately 6 inches of fall over the first 10 feet)
away from the foundation of a building to effectively divert surface runoff and protect
against water infiltration.
Question 3: When installing a modular segmental retaining wall system exceeding
four feet in height in North Carolina, what regulatory or engineering requirement is
typically mandatory?
A. Backfilling solely with native clay soil
B. Engineering design and stamped plans
Page 3 of 225
, C. Omitting drainage aggregate behind the wall
D. Using untreated wood timbers as tie-backs
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Engineering design and stamped plans
Rationale: In North Carolina and most building jurisdictions, retaining walls
exceeding four feet in total height or those subjected to surcharge loads require
review, design, and a stamp from a licensed professional engineer to ensure
structural stability and safety.
Question 4: Which of the following amendments is most effective for permanently
raising the pH of a strongly acidic clay loam soil in the Piedmont region of North
Carolina?
A. Elemental sulfur
B. Agricultural limestone
C. Gypsum
D. Composted pine bark
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Agricultural limestone
Rationale: Agricultural limestone (calcitic or dolomitic lime) introduces calcium and
carbonate ions that neutralize hydrogen ions in the soil solution, thereby raising the
soil pH and reducing acidity. Elemental sulfur lowers pH, gypsum addresses
sodicity/calcium without shifting pH, and pine bark is acidic.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of adding gypsum to a heavy clay soil
during landscape site preparation?
A. To substantially lower soil pH
B. To supply high levels of elemental nitrogen
C. To improve soil structure and flocculation without altering pH
D. To sterilize weed seeds prior to turf establishment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To improve soil structure and flocculation without altering
pH
Rationale: Gypsum (calcium sulfate) provides calcium ions that flocculate clay
particles, improving water infiltration and soil aeration in heavy clay soils without
significantly changing the existing soil pH.
Question 6: In landscape irrigation design, what term describes the loss of water
from the soil surface through evaporation and from plant tissues through
transpiration combined?
A. Infiltration
Page 4 of 225
Exam Prep | Practice Questions with Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales | NC
Landscape Contractor Licensing Study Guide
Question 1
hybrid
Correct Answer
a plant resulting from crossing two plants of the same type that have different
individual characteristics for a desired trait often resulting in hybrid vigor
Question 2
Cultivar
Correct Answer
A term meaning "cultivated variety" to indicate a specific type of plant developed
and maintained under cultivation.
Question 3
Caliper
Correct Answer
diameter of a tree 4" or less measured 6" above the ground
Greater than 4" is measured 12" above the ground
Question 4
Common Name
Correct Answer
The plant name used by the general public
Page 1 of 225
,Question 5
insecticide
Correct Answer
a material toxic to insects by contact and or stomach poisoning
Page 2 of 225
,Question 6
Cambium
Correct Answer
layer of actively dividing cells between xylem and phloem tissues that is responsible
for the secondary growth of stems and roots
Question 1: Which of the following turfgrass species is generally considered the
most drought-tolerant for a residential landscape installation in the transition zone of
North Carolina?
A. Kentucky Bluegrass
B. Tall Fescue
C. Centipedegrass
D. St. Augustinegrass
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tall Fescue
Rationale: Tall fescue is a cool-season turfgrass that features a deep root system,
allowing it to extract moisture from deeper soil profiles compared to shallow-rooted
cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, making it well-suited and widely used
in North Carolina's transition zone.
Question 2: According to standard landscape grading practices, what is the
minimum recommended slope percentage away from a residential building
foundation to ensure positive surface drainage?
A. 0.5 percent
B. 1.0 percent
C. 2.0 percent
D. 5.0 percent
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 5.0 percent
Rationale: Standard construction and landscaping guidelines typically recommend a
minimum slope of 5 percent (or approximately 6 inches of fall over the first 10 feet)
away from the foundation of a building to effectively divert surface runoff and protect
against water infiltration.
Question 3: When installing a modular segmental retaining wall system exceeding
four feet in height in North Carolina, what regulatory or engineering requirement is
typically mandatory?
A. Backfilling solely with native clay soil
B. Engineering design and stamped plans
Page 3 of 225
, C. Omitting drainage aggregate behind the wall
D. Using untreated wood timbers as tie-backs
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Engineering design and stamped plans
Rationale: In North Carolina and most building jurisdictions, retaining walls
exceeding four feet in total height or those subjected to surcharge loads require
review, design, and a stamp from a licensed professional engineer to ensure
structural stability and safety.
Question 4: Which of the following amendments is most effective for permanently
raising the pH of a strongly acidic clay loam soil in the Piedmont region of North
Carolina?
A. Elemental sulfur
B. Agricultural limestone
C. Gypsum
D. Composted pine bark
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Agricultural limestone
Rationale: Agricultural limestone (calcitic or dolomitic lime) introduces calcium and
carbonate ions that neutralize hydrogen ions in the soil solution, thereby raising the
soil pH and reducing acidity. Elemental sulfur lowers pH, gypsum addresses
sodicity/calcium without shifting pH, and pine bark is acidic.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of adding gypsum to a heavy clay soil
during landscape site preparation?
A. To substantially lower soil pH
B. To supply high levels of elemental nitrogen
C. To improve soil structure and flocculation without altering pH
D. To sterilize weed seeds prior to turf establishment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To improve soil structure and flocculation without altering
pH
Rationale: Gypsum (calcium sulfate) provides calcium ions that flocculate clay
particles, improving water infiltration and soil aeration in heavy clay soils without
significantly changing the existing soil pH.
Question 6: In landscape irrigation design, what term describes the loss of water
from the soil surface through evaporation and from plant tissues through
transpiration combined?
A. Infiltration
Page 4 of 225
