Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges council has begun its annual treatment program to protect the region’s 2700 elm trees from a serial pest known as the elm leaf beetle.
The elm leaf bettle is known to defoliate and weaken mature trees and trees that have been attacked by the bettle have a distinctive round hole in its leaves.
The council’s assets and operations director Shane Walden said while it was impossible to eradicate the beetle, the council has developed a management program to protect significant stands of elms, predominantly in parks and avenues.
“These beautiful European trees have all but disappeared in Europe due to Dutch elm disease,” he said.
“They are still flourishing in Australia but are prone to elm leave bettle attack so we want to protect them.”
The tree treatment usually occurs between September and November. Methods used include spraying and injecting the soil around the roots of the tree with low toxicity insecticide.
This method tends to protect the trees for more than one season.
Residents with elm trees on their properties are encouraged to register their trees by emailing foteinc@hotmail.com or phone 0409 870 860.
Jessica Micallef
