Palm tree removal (Fusarium wilt)

Fusarium wilt is a serious disease that affects Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) across the world including Australia.

Fusarium wilt has been present in the City of Port Phillip for almost 20 years. Council's tree management staff and tree contractor are familiar with identifying and managing it. An inspection of all palms on Council-managed land is undertaken annually.

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for this disease, and infection will eventually kill the tree. We are currently working toward a strategy to manage our long-term response to the disease.

This disease affects trees and is not transmittable to humans.

We have strict biosecurity protocols in place when working with all potentially infected palms. Please keep clear of the soil surrounding these palms, to prevent the spread of disease to healthy palms. We will be putting signage up at all palms that are potentially infected to alert people walking past.

We are actively managing the outbreak by:

• inspecting palms annually
• testing any palms showing symptoms
• removing any palms within one month of a positive Fusarium wilt diagnosis month to contain the disease and limit spread to other palms
• ensuring strict biosecurity protocols are used for all palm maintenance including frond trimming and removal of dead fronds
• restricting pedestrian movement on soil areas around known infection areas
• installing signs in known infected areas to inform the community of the disease and to stay off garden areas.