Hardscape (container ring and sidewalk) have been placed around the palm. The upper 3 feet of the root ball was trimmed back and the soil mounded around the trunk. Why the people were on the boom looking at the tree's crown is a mystery - the palm appears unusually flat; there is generally a vertical spike of new fronds coming from the top. Canary palms are susceptible to a fatal fungal disease (Fusarium wilt) most often spread by contaminated pruning tools. This fungus can invade the plant via cuts (wounds) - either from cut frons or severed roots. There is no cure for this disease and it is very prevalent in San Diego County. Hopefully, the city contracted experts that know about the hazards to this iconic palm.
Paved paradise and put up a parking lot....
ReplyDeleteCity Staff is known for killing trees. They like it.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably the Red Palm Weevil. It arrived in California about 5 years ago. The Canary Island Palm is especially susceptible. The insect lays its eggs in the crown. The first symptoms are distorted and reduced new growth at the top of the tree. It's a huge problem in the Mediterranean countries in Europe. It's also in northern Baja California If caught early, it can sometimes be controlled with systemic insecticides injected into the trunk or repeated spraying of the crown. Not good news for the palm at Moonlight Beach.
ReplyDeleteSpraying of the crown would be preferable, as injection wounds can be problematic. But that would be more expensive, as the crane boom would have to be used. Hopefully the city acts quickly - it'd be a shame to lose this solitary beach sentinel.
Delete7:04 AM Based on your astute observation, I sent a note to the California Department of Agriculture's evasive pests division. The red weevil has supposedly only been found in Laguna Beach, the first discovery of this destructive pest in the United States. It is a high priority containment issue, so I mentioned the characteristic symptoms of suppressed crown growth. Someone in hard hats on a crane boom cage were looking at the crown of this palm the other day, so there is observational data somewhere on file. I suggested that the State authorities contact the city for details. If it is the weevil, it will certainly get attention.
DeleteI wish they'd plant a spaced grove of palms in the sand back toward the picnic tables to provide a little shade, and places to hang travel hammocks.
ReplyDeleteNow that'd be cool!
DeleteGlad you brought that up, 7-11. People are so friggn fussy about the damned ocean view, they cut down trees to see more of the ocean and that's probably the only reason our beaches aren't more like paradise. Palms frame the ocean and thats why tropical postcards are magic. In comparison, Encinitas is one barren beach. Encinitas has had ONE palm tree on the beach for six miles and 100 years. They'll put multi-millions of dollars into revamping Moonlight Beach, but nothing into creating a bitchen ambience with trees. So I nominate you, 7:11 to start the ball rolling!
ReplyDeleteYes. Looks more like a slice of imperial dunes than an idyllic beach.
DeleteI will see if I can get the Lifeguard Tower plans to incorporate this. Council gave them more money than they asked for, and normally you ask for more than you need, expecting belt tightening in the approval process. Since there is a project, planning, and money already approved, 20-30 juvenile palms shouldn't break the bank. Also, I don't think it would block anyone's views, given the bluff to the east.
Encinitas headlines:
Delete2036:
LOCALS PROTEST REMOVAL OF MOONLING BEACH PALMS.
2016
LOCALS PROTEST PLANTING OF MOONLIGHT BEACH PALMS
2036:
104 YR OLD WILLIAM SHATNER TO PERFORM ROCKET MAN AT SPOCK BLOCK FESTIVITIES THIS YEAR.
Is Encinitas predictable, or what?
DeleteThat old Canary Island palm is beautiful and iconic. I hope the work around it hasn't compromised its health. But a grove of new palms? Please keep something in mind....
ReplyDeleteIf you want a beach with palms, go to Florida or a tropical island. The palms people associate with tropical beaches are **not** native here. So a grove of them?
Why doesn't anyone want to plant something that belongs here?
I'm all for planting native species where appropriate. Our lagoons, canyons and open space should be 100% native species.
DeleteFurther, we should continue to ban the sale or planting of invasive species that disperse seeds on water, wind, or wing to choke out natives in our wild lands.
However, the one acre of sand in front of the concession stand is not criter habitat. I doubt any natives can grow there.
Palms don't take a lot of water, and can grow in sand.
We have to be too dogmatic about native species. Notice that the Botanic Garden is mostly exotics; shall we rip that out? What about the canopy trees in Leucadia? Is the city right to keep ripping rose out because they aren't native? How about the SRF Meditation Gardens, or the majestic rows of palms above Swami's, or most of what's in our parks, and your yard?
Remember, you only have to go back the blink of an eye in geological timescales to notice that you and me are a non-native species on this land.
Can't be too dogmatic
Delete