What is a quick sign of oak wilt in trees?

What is a quick sign of oak wilt in trees?

• A. Emerald ash borer signs; D-shaped exit holes.
• B. Oak wilt signs; yellowing leaves only.
• C. Oak wilt signs; rapid leaf scorch and browning.
• D. Pine wilt signs; needle browning.

Answer: (C)

Oak wilt is a vascular disease that blocks water movement in the tree, causing sudden water stress. A quick sign is rapid leaf scorch and browning, where leaves wilt and turn brown or bronze within a short time, often starting at the tips and leaf margins and spreading inward. This rapid scorch is especially noticeable in red oaks, which tend to show symptoms quickly, while white oaks may be slower but can still exhibit sharp browning when infected. The other options point to signs from different pests or hosts—emerald ash borer affecting ash trees with D-shaped exit holes, or pine wilt causing needle browning on pines—so they don’t fit oak wilt.

Oak wilt is a vascular disease that blocks water movement in the tree, causing sudden water stress. A quick sign is rapid leaf scorch and browning, where leaves wilt and turn brown or bronze within a short time, often starting at the tips and leaf margins and spreading inward. This rapid scorch is especially noticeable in red oaks, which tend to show symptoms quickly, while white oaks may be slower but can still exhibit sharp browning when infected. The other options point to signs from different pests or hosts—emerald ash borer affecting ash trees with D-shaped exit holes, or pine wilt causing needle browning on pines—so they don’t fit oak wilt.