- More than $1 million committed to protecting trees
- Biggest threat to City’s tree canopy
- 25 trees lost since November 2022
More than $1 million has been committed to the City of Perth’s fight to protect city trees against the threat of polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB).
The beetle, which is native to Southeast Asia, is one of the biggest threats to tree canopy in the metropolitan area – including some of the City’s heritage trees in Supreme Court Gardens and Stirling Gardens.
Currently there is no known treatment for infested trees, so they must be removed or pruned. The City of Perth, under the direction of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, has removed 25 trees and pruned more than 30 more since 2022.
But Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the City had taken a proactive approach in its fight against PSHB which was helping to win the battle.
“Once understanding the devastating impact the beetle has had on trees around the world, and could have own our own canopy, we’ve ensured staff have the resources they need to help fight it,” Mr Zempilas said.
“More than $1 million will be spent this financial year and next to protect our trees against the borer. This includes employing an additional arboriculture specialist to support the proactive management plan, ongoing staff and community education, GIS mapping of high value and susceptible trees and 3D mapping of trees to help monitor and detect infestations.
“The team is also ensuring that trees are as healthy as practically possible through soil drenching and stem injections to increase their vitality and make them less vulnerable to the pest.”
