Name two important tree pests/diseases of Wisconsin and a quick sign for each.

Name two important tree pests/diseases of Wisconsin and a quick sign for each.

• A. Emerald ash borer — rapid leaf scorch and leaf browning; Oak wilt — D-shaped exit holes in bark.
• B. Emerald ash borer — D-shaped exit holes in bark; Oak wilt — rapid leaf scorch and leaf browning.
• C. Asian longhorned beetle — round exit holes; Dutch elm disease — yellowing.
• D. Gypsy moth — defoliation; Pine wilt — needle browning.

Answer: (B)

Two important Wisconsin tree pests/diseases are emerald ash borer and oak wilt. For emerald ash borer, the most recognizable sign is D-shaped exit holes in the bark where adults emerge, often accompanied by canopy decline as larvae feed under the bark. For oak wilt, a quick sign is rapid leaf scorch and browning, especially on red oaks, caused by the fungus blocking water flow in the tree. This pairing reflects the pests and signs most often used to identify problems in Wisconsin landscapes; the other options mix signs that aren’t as characteristic for those pests or involve pests/diseases less central to Wisconsin.