The City has warned Capetonians about a tree found infested with the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer beetle (PSHB). The infested tree is on private property in Newlands.
Property owners have been advised to inspect trees on their own grounds urgently.
“We are extremely concerned about this latest sighting in Newlands as to date we have managed to contain the invasive Asian borer beetle in the Somerset West area with the assistance and cooperation of residents,” says Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
Officials from the City’s Invasive Species Unit are assessing the extent of infestation and investigating the number of affected trees.
The City is assisting the owner with the actions required post-discovery. The wood from the tree has to be chipped on site and carefully removed before being incinerated at another site, explains Andrews.
“For now, we can confirm that at least one Boxelder is impacted. I encourage residents in the Newlands area to please inspect the trees on their properties for possible beetle infestations, in particular boxelders,” says Andrews.
He encourages sightings to be reported to the City as soon as possible to prevent the spreading.
Sightings must be reported to the City as soon as possible so that we can prevent the spreading. More information is available on the City’s website.
The beetle is the size of a sesame seed, approximately 2mm in length and poses a threat to both exotic and indigenous trees across South Africa. The ambrosia beetle is native to Southeast Asia.
If you discover one of your own trees is infested, the preferred action to take is to burn the wood. Chipping the wood into small pieces for compost is also an option as the heat build-up in the composting process kills the beetle.
As well as infesting wood, the beetle can also spread through clothing, vehicle crevices or unclean horticultural equipment.
The alien trees that have been infested include London plane trees, Liquidamber, Japanese maples, Chinese maples, pin oaks and English oaks, while the indigenous trees include the Coast Coral tree, Forest Bushwillow and the Cape willow.
Also read:
Picture: Mail & Guardian
