Which symptom characterizes oak wilt?

Which symptom characterizes oak wilt?

• A. Infested leaves wilt rapidly, turn brown around the edges and usually remain attached to the tree
• B. Leaves curl upward and stay green
• C. Fruit development is abnormal
• D. Root flare appears at base

Answer: (A)

Oak wilt produces a rapid wilting of the foliage with the leaves turning brown along the edges, and those leaves often stay attached to the tree rather than dropping immediately. This happens because the pathogen blocks the tree’s water-conducting tissues, causing sudden water stress in the leaves. In many oaks, especially red oaks, you see the canopy wilt quickly while the leaves cling to the branches, giving a wilted look even though the tree is still green up close. Other options don’t match this pattern: curling leaves that stay green aren’t typical of oak wilt, fruit development isn’t affected in that way, and a root flare appearing at the base isn’t a symptom of this disease.

Oak wilt produces a rapid wilting of the foliage with the leaves turning brown along the edges, and those leaves often stay attached to the tree rather than dropping immediately. This happens because the pathogen blocks the tree’s water-conducting tissues, causing sudden water stress in the leaves. In many oaks, especially red oaks, you see the canopy wilt quickly while the leaves cling to the branches, giving a wilted look even though the tree is still green up close. Other options don’t match this pattern: curling leaves that stay green aren’t typical of oak wilt, fruit development isn’t affected in that way, and a root flare appearing at the base isn’t a symptom of this disease.