Saving Algarve Palms

Is this bug unstoppable?

Pedro Seromenho: Of course it isn’t! Trees can be kept free of the bug for very little cost. The trick is to treat them regularly – and that’s where people start to lose enthusiasm. They think prevention will be too expensive. But the alternative can be much worse – and very sad. Dead palm trees look horrible, and if you’re renting a property out, or in business, they do nothing to attract clients - so they need removing, and that can involve a lot of money.

How much?

Depending on the size of the tree, it can cost hundreds of euros to cut one down and adequately dispose of it.

Is there a law obliging householders to treat their trees, or cut dead ones down?

That’s the problem: there isn’t. If there were the disease would never have spread in the way it has. For the moment, municipalities are simply encouraged to do their bit to make people aware of the dangers of not treating trees, and not properly disposing of them – but this isn’t really very effective. If a dead tree is a danger to the public – falling fronds can do incredible damage to people and property – people can call in the authorities, and then the authorities can force the owner of the tree to take action. But as you can imagine, all this is very long-winded and does nothing to stop the bug spreading, which it continues to do like wildfire.

So what’s the answer?

Treating trees! Prevention costs around €20 a month, depending on the size of the palm. Young trees cost even less. And if people don’t go in for prevention, treating diseased trees is still an option. It’s incredible to see how many bounce back and return to perfect health.

Is it just a question of chemicals, or do diseased trees require surgery?

Chemicals, or the biological approach with nematodes, will not sort out a diseased tree on their own. You need to get to where the problem is and dig right down. It’s the part I enjoy! I get a real buzz from digging out all the grubs and beetles! The noise they make – the smell, it can be horrendous, but there’s something so wonderfully satisfying in saving a tree. It’s a good feeling! I have clients who love their palms.

One particular lady near Lagos called me for her “baby”, as she called this tree, and it really was almost too late. That’s the trouble with this pest – you often don’t realise your tree is infected until it’s almost too late. Anyway, this palm needed radical surgery. I really wasn’t sure it would recover - but within a week of doing the surgery, I could see tiny green shoots growing out of the dead material and the lady herself said she could feel the tree would survive. It has! It still looks a little funny, but it’s definitely alive – and that’s what this is all about. Trying to save these beautiful trees.

The argument that they’re not indigenous to the Algarve and therefore expendable is not good enough, as palms have become a symbol of the region and they make properties look wonderful. An old farm with a 100-year-old palm looks impressive. An old farm with a dead 100-year-old palm just looks a mess…

0351 919 756 370 | http://www.savealgarvepalms.com