Forest Product's Week - History

1. In the 18^th century, the French scientist Rene de Reaumur got the idea to use wood fiber to make paper. He came to this conclusion by watching:

A washerwoman beat her clothes against rocks

A wasp building a nest from a twig it mixed with its bodily fluids to create pulp

Chinese mixing mulberry bark, rags and hemp into a paper-like product

All of the above

Answer B - In ancient times, people wrote on animal skins, bones, and clay tablets. Egyptians wrote on a woven mat of reeds called papyrus, which is where the word paper comes from. Around 2,000 years ago, Chinese first made paper as we know it from a mixture of mulberry bark, rags, and hemp. But it was not until the 18th century that wood fiber was recognized as a good source of paper. The French scientist, Rene de Reaumur, got the idea from observing a wasp building a nest from a twig it mixed with its bodily fluids to create pulp.

Explanation

Answer B - In ancient times, people wrote on animal skins, bones, and clay tablets. Egyptians wrote on a woven mat of reeds called papyrus, which is where the word paper comes from. Around 2,000 years ago, Chinese first made paper as we know it from a mixture of mulberry bark, rags, and hemp. But it was not until the 18th century that wood fiber was recognized as a good source of paper. The French scientist, Rene de Reaumur, got the idea from observing a wasp building a nest from a twig it mixed with its bodily fluids to create pulp.

2. Since 1930, what insect has defoliated more than 80 million acres of forests in the Eastern United Sates?

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Gypsy Moth

Cicada

Emerald Ash Borer

Answer B - Although KY is having more problems with the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and the Emerald Ash Borer, the gypsy moth has devastated more than 80 million acres (32 million hectares) of forests in the Eastern U.S., according to the USDA Forest Service, though several eradication strategies have prevented the insects from spreading to Western states.

Explanation

Answer B - Although KY is having more problems with the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and the Emerald Ash Borer, the gypsy moth has devastated more than 80 million acres (32 million hectares) of forests in the Eastern U.S., according to the USDA Forest Service, though several eradication strategies have prevented the insects from spreading to Western states.

3. There are more trees in the United States today than there were:

150 years ago

100 years ago

80 years ago

90 years ago

Answer C - We have more trees today than we had 80 years ago. The CCC, also known as Roosevelt's Tree Army, was credited with renewing the nation's decimated forests of the 1920’s and ‘30s by planting an estimated three billion trees from 1933 to 1942. This was crucial, especially in states affected by the Dust Bowl, where reforestation was necessary to break the wind, hold water in the soil, and hold the soil in place. Large community tree planting events like KY’s 20/20 vision continue that goal by converting unused farm land back to forest.

Explanation

Answer C - We have more trees today than we had 80 years ago. The CCC, also known as Roosevelt's Tree Army, was credited with renewing the nation's decimated forests of the 1920’s and ‘30s by planting an estimated three billion trees from 1933 to 1942. This was crucial, especially in states affected by the Dust Bowl, where reforestation was necessary to break the wind, hold water in the soil, and hold the soil in place. Large community tree planting events like KY’s 20/20 vision continue that goal by converting unused farm land back to forest.

4. Rubber - a tree product - got its name from the 18th century scientist Joseph Priestly who observed it being use to:

Rub away pencil marks

Rub scuff marks from the floor of a mansion foyer

Rub a shine on the brass door handles of a carriage

Rub/remove a seal from a letter

Answer A - Rubber got its name from Joseph Priestly when he observed that it rubbed out pencil marks.

Explanation

Answer A - Rubber got its name from Joseph Priestly when he observed that it rubbed out pencil marks.

5. What percentage of the total amount of forestland that existed when Columbus discovered America 500 years ago still exists today?

66%

32%

53%

25%

Answer A - Roughly 731 million acres of the country is forested today. That's about two-thirds (66 %) of the forestland that existed when Columbus discovered America.

Explanation

Answer A - Roughly 731 million acres of the country is forested today. That's about two-thirds (66 %) of the forestland that existed when Columbus discovered America.