Wonderful Trees Trivia Quiz

Answer: Oxygen

All life requires energy, and trees are no exception. Their leaves contain the green pigment chlorophyll, which enables them to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy and oxygen. The energy is stored in the form of sugars and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

The Amazon rainforest is often called the 'lungs of the world' because of the large amount of oxygen its trees provide. This is one of many reasons why we need to preserve our rainforests.

Answer: Yew

The oak, the ash and the horse chestnut all drop their leaves in winter and for this reason they are called 'deciduous'. The yew is a beautiful evergreen tree that can be shaped into hedges and other forms. In the past, its timber was used to create longbows because of its remarkable elasticity and springiness.

Answer: Topiary

Topiary is quite a popular hobby. The shapes most often produced are geometric designs and animals, but there is really no limit to what the imagination might conceive. Plants used in topiary include box, yew, holly, bay and privet. Metal frames are often used to guide the shears into creating the required shape.

Answer: Melon

Melons belong to the same family as cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and gourds, and they all grow on vines. Melons and water melons are sweet. They can be left to trail on the ground or they can be trained to climb. Apples, lemons and quinces all grow on trees. Apples and lemons need no introduction; quinces can be used to make delicious jelly.

Answer: Peanut

Although the peanut resembles a nut, it is fact a legume that grows in the ground. It is also called 'groundnut' and 'monkey nut'. Peanuts are widely used in African and Asian cuisine. Brazil nuts, walnuts and macadamia nuts all grow on trees. As their name implies, Brazil nuts are native to South America. Macadamia nuts are native to Australia. Walnut trees are grown in many countries of the world.

Answer: Bark

Cinnamon is obtained from the inner bark of the tree. It can be bought in stick or powder form and is used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Examples are stews, breakfast cereals and cinnamon toast. It is also an ingredient in Mexican chocolate.

Answer: Coast redwood

All of the trees listed are tall, but the coast redwood grows the tallest. An example is a tree called Hyperion that can be found in the Redwood National Park in California, USA. It is a staggering 115.92 m (380.3 ft) high. It is thought to be between 700 and 800 years old.

Answer: Water

Water is absorbed by the roots, transported through the trunk and branches to the leaves and finally lost to the atmosphere through small pores on the underside of the leaves. This takes place mostly through the process of evaporation.

Answer: Bonsai

Bonsai originated in China before it spread to Japan. The tree is kept small by a combination of pot confinement and trimming of roots and branches. Special tools have been developed for people who practise this hobby.

Answer: Holly

All the trees mentioned in this question are evergreen, but the holly is not a conifer, because it reproduces by means of flowers and seeds. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. They give rise to berries that are a popular winter food for birds.