Dana Point city officials are looking to develop a plan to combat an invasive beetle species that’s already taking over palm trees in Southern California.
The insects, South American Palm Weevils, are fatal to palm trees, as the larvae burrow into the palm’s heart.
Since the infestation happens inside the tree, it is often untraceable until the plant starts to show signs of collapse, which releases more beetles and allows nearby palms to be affected.
The palms cannot be treated once the infestation begins, so prevention is the only option.
To prevent the beetles from inhabiting the trees, insecticides are injected into the trunk and a spray is applied to the top of the tree to create a toxic covering on the heart of the palm.
According to a Dana Point city staff report, the beetles have been detected at Nature Interpretive Center and at Sunset Park, but they have been spreading from San Diego county since 2011, with University of California researchers estimating 20,000 trees killed because of the insects.
The weevils primarily target Canary Island Date Palms, which Dana Point has 331 such trees.
However, once the insect goes through all of the Canary Island palms, it can move on to other species like Fan Palms and Queen Palms, of which there are more than 500 each in Dana Point.
In July, Dana Point City Council members voted to start a treatment program for 98 of the palms and directed staff to continue developing a phased approach to cover the remaining palms.
Since that meeting, the city prioritized palms to be treated, and also laid out phases that outline which trees should be treated and which can be monitored using traps costing $6,780 annually and inspection.
The palms were individually given scores based on their heritage status, size and age, proximity to infested trees and whether the tree falling would cause a public safety hazard.
Phase one, which was approved at the July 21 meeting, will treat 98 trees – the Capistrano Beach heritage palms – and will cost $68,745 annually.
Phase two, which was approved at Tuesday’s meeting, will treat up to half of the city’s Canary Date Palms, about 166. It will cost $116,994 each year.
Phase three would treat about 75% or 248 trees, including the 98 in the first phase, and would cost $173,087 annually.
Phase four would treat all Canary Island Date Palms in the city and would cost $227,314 yearly.
At the July meeting, it was mentioned that the estimates were not based on a quote, but just on expected costs, meaning that the total price could rise.
“This is a long term structural budget issue, if we want to protect these trees. Or we have to understand that we’re gonna lose some,” said Council Member Jamey Federico at the July 21 meeting.
At both meetings, council members entertained the idea of letting affected trees die and paying to remove and replace them, as removal of a dead tree would cost $2,500 each and $30,000 to replace, for a larger tree. To remove all 331, it would cost about $827,500 one time.
Ultimately, on Tuesday council members voted to look at implementing phase two when the budget review comes around, and also moved for city staff to gather community feedback to see just how important the palms are to residents in the meantime.
During the Tuesday meeting, Councilmember Mike Frost said the city should figure out how high of a priority the palm trees are.
“I have no problem doing it in the future if it’s clear that this is a critical item for our town, I would just like to pump the brakes for a little bit.”
Michelle King is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood fellow. You can reach her at mcaitlin254@gmail.com.
