Why is it advisable to plant pine trees resistant to white pine blister rust?

The best reason for planting pine trees that are resistant to white pine blister rust is to avoid disease problems on rights-of-way. White pine blister rust is a serious disease caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola, which can cause significant damage to specific pine species, particularly white pine. By selecting resistant varieties of pine trees, land managers and applicators can help prevent the spread of this disease, which can affect not only the health of the trees but also the overall stability of the forest ecosystem and the safety of rights-of-way. Maintaining healthy, disease-resistant trees ensures that these areas remain clear and functional for transportation and utility installations, reducing maintenance costs and risks associated with dying or diseased trees.

While the other choices may have their own merits in different contexts, avoiding disease on rights-of-way is about ensuring safety and ecological balance in areas used for public and ecological purposes, which makes this choice the most pertinent in this scenario.