Why is seasoning wood important?
- To make it more resistant to decay.
- To make it lighter.
- To make it less expensive.
- To make it easier to carve.
Correct Answer: To make it more resistant to decay.
Correct Answer Explanation: Seasoning wood removes excess moisture, which makes it less susceptible to decay and insect infestation, increasing its durability.
Which type of tree has a simpler structure?
- Coniferous trees
- Broad-leaved trees
- Both types of trees have the same structure.
- Neither type of tree has a defined structure.
Correct Answer: Coniferous trees
Correct Answer Explanation: Coniferous trees, like pines and firs, have a simpler structure than broad-leaved trees, like oaks and maples. This difference affects how they dry and their final properties.
How does sapwood dry compared to heartwood?
- Sapwood dries faster than heartwood.
- Heartwood dries faster than sapwood.
- Both dry at the same rate.
- The drying rate depends on the species of tree.
Correct Answer: Sapwood dries faster than heartwood.
Correct Answer Explanation: Sapwood contains free water in its cell cavities, making it dry quicker than heartwood, which only has water within its cell walls.
Which wood-drying method is generally faster?
- Air-drying
- Kiln-drying
- Both methods take the same amount of time.
- The drying time depends on the wood species.
Correct Answer: Kiln-drying
Correct Answer Explanation: Kiln-drying uses controlled heat and humidity to accelerate the drying process, making it significantly faster than air-drying.
What is a primary factor that influences the drying time of wood?
- The temperature of the wood.
- The thickness of the wood.
- The type of wood.
- All of the above.
Correct Answer: All of the above.
Correct Answer Explanation: The temperature, thickness, and type of wood all play significant roles in determining how quickly it dries. Thicker wood takes longer, and some types of wood are more resistant to drying than others.
What is the approximate percentage of carbon in wood?
- 10%
- 25%
- 49%
- 75%
Correct Answer: 49%
Correct Answer Explanation: Wood is primarily composed of carbon, making up about 49% of its dry weight.
What is the typical percentage of bark in a pine tree trunk?
- 2%
- 10%
- 25%
- 50%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: Pine tree trunks typically contain around 10% bark, which is the outer layer of the tree.
What is the approximate dry weight of red gum wood?
- 20 pounds per cubic foot
- 30 pounds per cubic foot
- 40 pounds per cubic foot
- 50 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer: 30 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer Explanation: Red gum wood, when dry, weighs approximately 30 pounds per cubic foot.
Which of these woods is considered refractory, meaning it’s difficult to dry?
- Long-leaf pine
- White oak
- Red gum
- Yellow poplar
Correct Answer: Red gum
Correct Answer Explanation: Red gum wood is known for its tendency to warp and crack during drying, making it a more challenging wood to season.
What is the typical loss in drying for refractory woods like red gum?
- 2%
- 7%
- 15%
- 30%
Correct Answer: 7%
Correct Answer Explanation: Refractory woods, like red gum, typically experience a 7 to 10% loss in weight during the drying process.
What are medullary rays?
- The central core of a tree
- The outer layer of a tree
- Radial strips of tissue connecting the pith to the bark
- Cells that transport water
Correct Answer: Radial strips of tissue connecting the pith to the bark
Correct Answer Explanation: Medullary rays are radial strips of tissue that run from the center of the tree to the bark, carrying nutrients and contributing to the unique patterns, or “figure”, in some woods.
What causes the “figure” in oak wood?
- The presence of medullary rays
- The action of insects
- The twisted condition of wood fibers
- The age of the tree
Correct Answer: The presence of medullary rays
Correct Answer Explanation: Oak’s distinctive “figure” is caused by its broad, deep medullary rays, visible in cross-sections and adding to its beauty and value.
What are ambrosia beetles known to attack?
- Seasoned wood
- Dry, stored material
- Living or dying wood
- All of the above
Correct Answer: Living or dying wood
Correct Answer Explanation: Ambrosia beetles thrive on living or dying wood, needing specific moisture levels for the fungus they carry to grow.
What causes the odor of pine wood?
- Volatile oils
- Decaying fibers
- Pigments
- The presence of insects
Correct Answer: Volatile oils
Correct Answer Explanation: The distinctive scent of pine, cedar, and camphor wood is attributed to volatile oils that evaporate from the wood.
Which type of wood is known for its rich color and grain?
- Red gum
- Yellow poplar
- Basswood
- Black walnut
Correct Answer: Black walnut
Correct Answer Explanation: Black walnut is highly valued for its dark, rich color and attractive grain, making it a sought-after wood for furniture, gun stocks, and interior finish.
What is the approximate average weight of hickory, oak, persimmon, osage orange, and black locust when dry?
- 24 pounds per cubic foot
- 30 pounds per cubic foot
- 42 pounds per cubic foot
- 50 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer: 42 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer Explanation: These dense hardwoods typically weigh around 42 pounds per cubic foot when dry.
What is the typical percentage of summer-wood in the central rings of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 5%
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: The central rings of an old long-leaf pine log typically contain about 10% summer-wood, the denser, darker wood formed in the summer.
What is the approximate average weight of white pine, spruce, and fir when dry?
- 24 pounds per cubic foot
- 30 pounds per cubic foot
- 42 pounds per cubic foot
- 50 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer: 24 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer Explanation: These softwoods are lighter than hardwoods, weighing around 24 pounds per cubic foot when dry.
What is the typical loss in air-drying for Western larch?
- 10%
- 30%
- 50%
- 70%
Correct Answer: 60 to 70%
Correct Answer Explanation: Western larch, a dense and moisture-rich wood, can experience significant weight loss during air-drying, typically between 60 to 70%.
What is the typical loss in air-drying for red gum?
- 10%
- 30%
- 50%
- 70%
Correct Answer: 30%
Correct Answer Explanation: Red gum, a refractory wood, loses around 30% of its weight during air-drying.
What is the typical percentage of medullary rays in good white oak wood?
- 5%
- 10%
- 16%
- 25%
Correct Answer: 16 to 25%
Correct Answer Explanation: Good quality white oak wood typically contains between 16 and 25% medullary rays, contributing to its strength and distinctive “figure”.
How long did it take to dry 1-inch green red gum from 20.1% to 11.4% moisture?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 45 hours
- 72 hours
Correct Answer: 45 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: Drying 1-inch green red gum from 20.1% to 11.4% moisture took approximately 45 hours in a controlled setting.
What is the upper limit of weight for most common native woods in the United States?
- 45 pounds per cubic foot
- 50 pounds per cubic foot
- 55 pounds per cubic foot
- 60 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer: 50 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer Explanation: Most native woods in the United States have a dry weight of less than 50 pounds per cubic foot, with some denser species approaching this limit.
What is the typical weight range of sapwood in most common lumber woods?
- 30 to 40 pounds per cubic foot
- 45 to 55 pounds per cubic foot
- 50 to 60 pounds per cubic foot
- 60 to 70 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer: 45 to 55 pounds per cubic foot
Correct Answer Explanation: The sapwood of most common lumber woods typically weighs between 45 to 55 pounds per cubic foot when dry.
What is the maximum loss in drying for exceptional cases of refractory woods?
- 10%
- 20%
- 33%
- 50%
Correct Answer: 33%
Correct Answer Explanation: In exceptional cases, some refractory woods can lose up to 33% of their weight during drying due to their high moisture content and tendency to shrink and warp.
What is the typical percentage of summer-wood in the stump of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 20%
- 30%
- 45%
- 60%
Correct Answer: 45%
Correct Answer Explanation: The stump of an old long-leaf pine log typically has a higher percentage of summer-wood, around 45%, compared to the central rings or the top of the log.
Which wood is often mistaken for poplar?
- Red gum
- Tupelo gum
- Black walnut
- Basswood
Correct Answer: Tupelo gum
Correct Answer Explanation: Tupelo gum wood, often confused with poplar, is known for its strength and workability and is used for various applications like flooring and boxes.
Which type of wood is used for heavy construction, shipbuilding, and railway ties?
- Long-leaf pine
- White oak
- Redwood
- Tupelo gum
Correct Answer: Long-leaf pine
Correct Answer Explanation: Long-leaf pine is a hard and durable pine, making it suitable for heavy construction, shipbuilding, and applications that require strength and resistance to wear.
What is the approximate percentage of summer-wood in the top of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 10%
- 24%
- 45%
- 60%
Correct Answer: 24%
Correct Answer Explanation: The top of an old long-leaf pine log typically has a lower percentage of summer-wood, around 24%, compared to the stump or the central rings.
What is the approximate percentage of summer-wood in the central rings of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 10%
- 24%
- 45%
- 60%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: The central rings of an old long-leaf pine log typically have a lower percentage of summer-wood, around 10%, compared to the stump or the top of the log.
Which type of wood is known for its beautiful reddish color and durability?
- Long-leaf pine
- Redwood
- Tupelo gum
- Black walnut
Correct Answer: Redwood
Correct Answer Explanation: Redwood is renowned for its reddish hue and natural resistance to decay, making it a popular choice for shingles, water pipes, and interior decorations.
What is the typical percentage of summer-wood in the stump of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 10%
- 24%
- 45%
- 60%
Correct Answer: 45%
Correct Answer Explanation: The stump of an old long-leaf pine log typically has a higher percentage of summer-wood, around 45%, compared to the central rings or the top of the log.
What causes the “figure” in mahogany wood?
- The presence of medullary rays
- The action of insects
- The twisted condition of wood fibers
- The age of the tree
Correct Answer: The twisted condition of wood fibers
Correct Answer Explanation: The distinctive patterns in mahogany are caused by irregularities in the growth of the wood fibers, adding to its ornamental value.
What is the typical percentage of summer-wood in the central rings of an old long-leaf pine log?
- 10%
- 24%
- 45%
- 60%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: The central rings of an old long-leaf pine log typically have a lower percentage of summer-wood, around 10%, compared to the stump or the top of the log.