Three diseased Canary Island Palms in Warrnambool will be removed in the coming weeks.
All three trees are in an advanced state of decline, with an arborist’s report recommending their removal.
The trees are located at the intersection of Timor and Fairy streets, Timor and Ryot streets and on Mortlake Road near Roslyn Close.
They are estimated to be about 70 years old and are afflicted by various fungal diseases.
One of the trees has Nalanthamala vermoesenii, another has Botryosphaeria and a third has Botryosphaeria, Pestalotiopsis and Epicoccum.
Warrnambool City Council acting CEO David Leahy said that since the arborist’s report was completed in mid-2021, the trees have continued to decline significantly.
“Diseases have ravaged the trees to a point where there are no fronds left at all,” he said.
“Thankfully, the trees didn’t have Fusarium wilt, a serious disease that has significantly impacted Canary Island Palms in the City of Port Phillip in inner Melbourne.
“The type of diseases that the three declining palms in Warrnambool have, they aren’t as easily spread to nearby healthy trees, but it’s just not a risk worth taking.
“As well as removing the palm trees, all equipment will be sterilised after each removal to help ensure the disease is contained.
“There’s the amenity of the city to consider too. The trees are not producing new foliage and will eventually die.
“Replanting options will be considered once the works are complete and further soil assessments are undertaken.”
Minor traffic management will be in place during the removal, with motorists and pedestrians asked to obey all signage.