COOPERATIVE GRANT FOR REMOVAL OF TREES INFESTED WITH FUSARIUM FUNGAS AND ISHB

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) Pest Exclusion Division (PEx) is working under a plan developed by the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee to control and manage the emergent pest-disease complex Fusarium dieback – invasive shot hole borers (FD – ISHB). These beetles kill trees leading the dead trees to become fire hazards. Under this plan and with the help of a grant from the California Department of Fire Protection, the AWM PEx is working to identify infested trees in San Diego County and remove trees that test positive for the pest-disease complex. This cooperative grant is for over $600,000 over three years with a priority focus on trees near major shipping nurseries, campgrounds, green waste processing facilities, and firewood brokers. The first action resulted in the successful removal of 12 heavily infested Willow and Cottonwood trees in a joint project with the San Diego Nature Conservancy.