Wooden picnic pallets banned from Botanic Gardens
One of the trees in the Botanic Gardens has already been destroyed by the Shot Hole Borer.
IN a bid to protect their historic trees, the Durban Botanic Gardens has banned wooden picnic pallets which can introduce Shot Hole Borer beetles into the park.
The news was shared on their Facebook Page.
“We currently have a huge problem in South Africa with a little bug called Shot Hole Borer and here at the gardens we have already lost one tree because of it. This decision has been taken to protect and preserve the trees within the gardens, many of which are heritage trees,” read the post.
A fungus which lives in a symbiotic relationship with the Polyphagous Shothole Boerer Beetle is mysteriously spreading through South Africa. In July, the fungus was spotted on some avocado trees in local backyards.
Also read:Â Mysterious fungus threatens local trees
https://www.facebook.com/DurbanBotanicGardens/photos/a.141944742538477/2700389150027344/?type=3&theater
According to the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) website, these organisms can be aggressive tree killers
” The discovery of this beetle and fungus in South Africa is of major concern to farmers, foresters, landscapers, home owners and ecologists,” reads the site.
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