Palm tree saved from weevil attack

Personnel at a milk processing plant have cured a decades-old palm tree from the dreaded red palm weevil which has ravaged palm trees in several areas around the island.

Standing three storeys high, the treasured tree occupies a spot in the grounds of Malta Dairy Products in Ħamrun and might have been planted there as far back as 1930 when the site was used as a train station.

In fact a number of the same species, Phoenix canariensis, were planted at train stations back when these were in use and are now among the oldest palms on the island.

The tree housed starlings and colonies of sparrows.

Professionals hailing from a number of departments within the plant came together in an attempt to save the tree after noting its withering leaves.

The disease progressed from the top down, with fronds falling away after being eaten at their base.

The red palm weevil was confirmed as the cause after cocoons containing the pest started falling off the tree.

Following the management's decision to do all it could to cure the tree, the maintenance department installed a pipe along its length to dispense an insecticide solution containing imidacloprid and thiacloprid into the tree's crown at regular intervals.

But no progress was seen and less than half the tree's leaves were left. It was feared that the tree's core was dead and plans were made to cut it down before it rotted and fell, causing considerable damage and possibly injuring personnel.

However, it was then decided to give the tree a couple more months while dosing continued with insecticides and fungicides.

"The palm tree seemed to be considering its fate," said Stephan Mifsud, who concocted the pesticide solution. Leaves stopped withering and in a couple of weeks the palm grew a fresh frond.