National Trees from Around the World Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Also known as the Chilean Pine, this South American native is the hardiest of the conifers in the Araucaria genus. Popular as ornamental trees, this long-lived species often grow to heights of more than 100 feet. The national tree of Chile, by what name is it commonly known?

Answer: Monkey Puzzle Tree

'Araucaria araucana' is commonly known as the monkey puzzle tree or the Chilean pine. Often described as a living fossil due to its longevity, it is commonly found on the lower slopes of the Chilean and Argentine Andes.

Logging of these trees was only banned in 1990 and many (some more than 1,300 years old) have been destroyed by forest fire, so that the species is now rated as 'Endangered'.

2. First domesticated in India around 4,000 years ago, this species was brought to East Asia around 500 BC. The Portuguese introduced it into Africa and Brazil in the 17th century. The national tree of Bangladesh, it produces the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Which tree is this?

Answer: Mango Tree

Although commonly known as the Mango tree, 'Mangifera indica' is actually a flowering plant from the same family ('Anacardiaceae') as sumac and poison ivy. Although popular as a fruit, the mango is also widely used in traditional medicine, with unripe fruit, bark, leaves and stems being used to produce a form of antibiotic.

Although the Mango is the official tree of Bangladesh, that country's official national fruit is the jackfruit.

3. 'Betula pendula' is part of the Betulaceae family of deciduous nut-bearing trees and shrubs. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it is known as a pioneer species as it is often one of the first species to sprout after a forest fire. The national tree of Finland, which species is this?

Answer: Silver Birch

The silver birch is also sometimes called the warty birch or East Asian white birch or, in North America where it is considered an invasive species in some states, the European white birch. It gets its common name from its white, peeling bark. A hardy species, its light, winged seeds get widely dispersed by the wind, and it is often one of the first species found growing on bare land.

4. A deciduous hardwood native to south and southeast Asia, this species is part of the 'Lamiaceae' family of flowering plants that also includes mint and dead-nettle. Its wood is popular for boat-building, carving and furniture-making, with more than half of the world's naturally-occurring forests located in Myanmar. The national tree of Indonesia, what species is this?

Answer: Teak

A tropical hardwood, the wood of the teak (Tectona grandis) is highly valued for its durability and water resistance. It grows successfully in a variety of climates, from arid areas to very moist forests. The national tree of Indonesia, most of the world's cultivated teak comes from plantations in that country.

5. 'Talipariti elatum' is a member of the 'Malvaceae' family of flowering trees that also includes okra, cotton and cacao. Native to parts of the Caribbean, its wood is widely used in cabinet-making. The national tree of Jamaica, it is a common sight in the cities of that country. Which tree is this?

Answer: Blue Mahoe

The blue mahoe (Talipariti elatum) is a flowering tree native to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba and the US Virgin Islands. Its wood has distinctive blue-green streaks when polished, hence its name. The rapidly-growing nature of this species and its adaptability to different elevations makes it popular when reforesting areas.

The inner bark of the blue mahoe was once used to tie bundles of Cuban cigars.

6. Named after a French naturalist and explorer, 'Adansonia digitata' is one of the iconic sights across the plains of much of southern Africa. Six of the nine species, though, are native to Madagascar, where it is the national tree. Almost 100 feet high and with a trunk diameter in excess of 30 feet, specimens more than 1,200 years old have been found. Which tree is this?

Answer: Baobab

Commonly known as the baobab, the nine species in the 'Adansonia' genus were named for the 18th-century French explorer Michel Adanson. Widely considered "a defining icon of African bushland", baobabs are vital components of the dry deciduous forests of Madagascar. Living in regions with long wet and dry seasons, these trees have adapted their trunks as water storage tanks, with the largest individual trees capable of storing over 30,000 gallons.

The baobab is also the national tree of Senegal.

7. Sometimes called the ahuehuete, 'Taxodium mucronatum' is native to Guatemala, southern Texas and much of Mexico, where it is the national tree. A large evergreen member of the 'Cupressaceae' family, which also includes junipers and redwoods, it is usually found growing alongside rivers or springs, or in marshland. By what name is it commonly known?

Answer: Montezuma Cypress

The Montezuma bald cypress or Montezuma cypress is known in its native Mexico as the ahuehuete, a name derived from Aztec meaning "upright drum in water" or "old man of the water". This is because these trees are primarily riparian, meaning they grow along the boundaries between land and water. Popular as ornamental trees in parks and gardens, the wood of the ahuehuete is often used to make furniture.

8. 'Podocarpus latifolius' is a large evergreen tree native to the damper southern and eastern regions of South Africa, where it is the national tree. Its hard wood, similar to yew, is popular for making furniture and panelling. The second half of the species name means "wide-leaved". Which tree is this?

Answer: Real Yellowwood

The broad-leaved yellowwood or real yellowwood is a member of the large 'Podocarpaceae' family of Southern Hemisphere conifers. Native to the Western Cape and Natal areas of South Africa, it is most commonly found in afro-temperate forests, and particularly in mountainous areas. Slow-growing by long-lived, these trees are popular with ornamental gardeners, particularly as the bright, edible seeds attract numerous bird species.

9. Popular as an ornamental species due to its graceful shape and the red/pink infused grayish-green foliage, 'Mesua ferrea' is a slow-growing tree in the 'Calophyllaceae' family. Found in evergreen forests, particularly in river valleys, in southern Asia, this is the national tree of Sri Lanka. What type of tree is this?

Answer: Ironwood

Also known as cobra's saffron or the Indian rose chestnut, the Sri Lankan ironwood is particularly known for the strength and the heaviness of its timber. The heavy, dark red wood is hard to saw and is primarily used for railway sleepers and structural timber for the building trade.

Other parts of the tree are used in traditional medicines, making incense sticks. The seeds were traditionally burned for lighting.

10. Native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia, 'Cassia fistula' is a flowering plant in the 'Fabaceael' family of legumes, peas and beans. An ornamental plant also used for medicinal purposes, it is the national tree of Thailand and also produces that country's national flower. Which tree is this?

Answer: Golden Rain Tree

Also known as canafistula, the golden rain tree was once closely associated with ancient Tamil literature. A medium-sized, fast-growing tree, it grows best in dry climates, particularly in full sunlight. Its pendulous yellow flowers completely conceal any other aspect of the tree when in full bloom, giving the tree its name.

Source: Author EnglishJedi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Many countries have official national trees. Can you identify ten of the species designated for this purpose?

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