News

Get fruit fly ready - FREE tree removals!

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 08:48:00

If you have fruit trees you no longer use or maintain, the end of the hot summer weather is the best time to think about removing them.

The Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area’s tree removal program has been a huge success in eliminating potential fruit fly host plants from across the area, especially when they are no longer wanted by the owner.
But the GSPFA’s regional coordinator Deidre Jaensch said there is still more to be done and emphasised that, for Victorian residents, free tree removals are still available.
“Last year we removed 3895 host trees from gardens across the region from Kerang through to Wentworth – 1912 stone fruit trees, 734 citrus, 528 pomes and 721other varieties of fruit trees,” Ms Jaensch said.
“Many people have ‘forgotten’ trees that were planted years ago at the back of the shed or down the side of the house. These trees are usually out-of-sight and out-of-mind.
“Unmanaged fruit trees are one of the main culprits in harbouring fruit fly, so taking out these trees is one of the best ways to ‘do your bit’ to support your local industries and community.”
Ms Jaensch said the Victorian Government was now fully-funding tree removals by professional arborists at no cost to the householder.  This work is funded by the Victorian Government’s Managing Fruit Fly Regional Grant Program.
“There’s no way to sugar coat it – it’s tough to manage fruit trees against fruit fly and most people underestimate the time, money and weekly commitment required to do it properly,” she said.
“If you’ve got better things to do than manage for fruit fly, don’t just watch your fruit drop to the ground each year, let us help you by removing the tree so you don’t have to worry anymore.”
Ms Jaensch said autumn was one of the best times to think about tree removal.
“We’ve had so many people say to us that the decision was the hard part, the tree removal program was easy and, in the end, it was a relief not to have the ongoing responsibility and the mess.”
Ms Jaensch said there were indications that the tree removals had played a part in reducing fruit fly activity.
“The local monitoring traps recorded fewer flies in winter and spring, and although numbers rose in December, the extreme heat and low humidity in January will have helped,” she said.
“But the heat won’t kill all the flies – adults and larvae can survive inside a cool, shady canopy, and home gardens and orchards will be their safe havens. Feijoas and guavas are a particular problem because they produce so much fruit that you can’t reach.”  
“We have a great opportunity over the next couple of months to really make a difference in breaking the fruit fly cycle. The more trees we can remove now will reduce the chance of the flies maturing next season.”
More information and applications for free tree removal can be made online  www.pestfreearea.com.au or calling (03) 5022 0327.
*Conditions apply.