Hundreds of palm trees destroyed in Almunecar due to killer weevils

ALMUNECAR Town Hall has launched an ambitious project to clean and treat almost 8,000 palm trees in a bid to stave off pests.

Hundreds of trees have been destroyed by palm weevils and other invasive pests across Axarquia in the last decade.

An infestation of palm weevils can result in the yellowing and wilting of palms, which eventually leads to its death.

Resident in nearby Colmenar, expat Bea Wood told the Olive Press: “Palm weevils have destroyed one of two beautiful palm trees in our garden.

“I’m trying to kill them because I don’t know if the other tree has been infested as well.”

The head of Almunecar’s Environment Department, Luis Aragon, said: “The campaign has started late this year to avoid upsetting the influx of tourists here enjoying the good weather in September.

“We have several crews working to speed up the work and avoid affecting the residents too much as well.”