Palm fronds to be used for Palm Sunday must originate from palm trees which are free from symptoms of Red Palm Weevil infection, the government said this evening.

It said in a statement that a written approval for the pruning of palms has to be obtained from the Plant Health Directorate. The palm trees from where the fronds are cut have to be sprayed with an appropriate insecticide after pruning and the treatment has to be repeated for three consecutive times to protect the trees. 

Fronds have to be cut as short as possible to minimise infective areas which are generally concentrated at the base of the fronds.  The base of the frond has to be sealed with an appropriate pruning sealant since the Red Palm Weevil is attracted to this fresh damage and uses these fresh cuts for depositing eggs.

The base of the frond should not be used and palms from which fronds are cut should be registered with the Plant Health Directorate.

Since Gozo is a demarcated area for the Red Palm Weevil, it was important to ensure that palm fronds, including those taken from the crown, taken for ornamental purposes to be used on Palm Sunday were taken only from the gardens of the Gozo General Hospital under the supervision of the Afforestation Parks and Public Gardens Section.