How is oak wilt controlled?

How is oak wilt controlled?

• A. Mechanically severing root grafts
• B. Chemical sprays on leaves only
• C. Pruning during wet conditions
• D. Applying only fertilizer

Answer: (A)

Oak wilt spreads mainly through underground root connections between trees and by beetles carrying the fungus to fresh wounds. The most effective way to limit its spread is to mechanically sever those root grafts around the infected area, creating a barrier that interrupts the underground pathway for the fungus to move from diseased to healthy trees. Leaf-area sprays don’t reach the vascular system where the pathogen travels, pruning during wet conditions can create new wounds that attract beetles and aid transmission, and fertilizer doesn’t affect the fungus or its spread. So mechanically severing root grafts directly targets the primary spread route.

Oak wilt spreads mainly through underground root connections between trees and by beetles carrying the fungus to fresh wounds. The most effective way to limit its spread is to mechanically sever those root grafts around the infected area, creating a barrier that interrupts the underground pathway for the fungus to move from diseased to healthy trees. Leaf-area sprays don’t reach the vascular system where the pathogen travels, pruning during wet conditions can create new wounds that attract beetles and aid transmission, and fertilizer doesn’t affect the fungus or its spread. So mechanically severing root grafts directly targets the primary spread route.