The City of Mèze has announced the launch of an operation to fell about one hundred plane trees, infested by the Asian longhorn beetle and doomed in the short term. This campaign will begin on November 3rd with the removal of forty trees at la Parée. These trees will be gradually replaced by six new species.
This invasive insect, whose larvae bore galleries into the wood, progressively weakens the trees until their decline. Felling infested trees is an essential measure to limit the spread of the pest and protect healthy trees. The intervention also addresses a safety imperative, as severely weakened trees can pose risks to users of public spaces.
The phenomenon extends far beyond the Mèze area. The Occitanie region is particularly affected, with over 130 municipalities classified as infested zones. Nouvelle-Aquitaine is also facing the progression of this destructive insect.
Homeowners with mulberry trees are urged to be vigilant. The presence of exit holes in the trunk, sawdust at the base of the tree, wilting branches, or adult insects can indicate an infestation. In case of suspicion, it is recommended not to move wood from an infested tree to prevent the insect's spread, and to report its presence to the competent services at FREDON Occitanie at 04 67 75 64 48.
