The South American Palm Weevil feasts on Canary Island date palms, taking out two streetfront trees at the historic hotel. Replacement is underway.
“It’s a sad day here at La Valencia,” hotel general manager Troy Longwith said, as the leftover tree trunks of two weevil-infested trees were removed.
The process to remove the two Canary Island date palms – planted at the iconic, historic hotel decades ago – began a few days prior, after two independent arborists determined the drooping fronds indicated infestation by the South American palm weevils.
The South American palm weevil is particularly drawn to the Canary Island date palm, laying eggs in the palm’s crown. The larvae then feed on the palm’s heart, leading to certain death of the tree.
Many other Canary Island date palms in La Jolla have fallen to the same fate.
The infested La Valencia palms had their frond removed Feb 5 and the trunks removed Feb 6; the stumps will be ground soon.
A third Canary Island date palm on the property is being assessed and treated in case it’s also infested. Longwith is hopeful.
The other palm trees at La Valencia are different species (queen; kentia; and king palms) and are not subject to weevil infestation.
As for the two infested trees that were removed, they will be replaced, Longwith said.
“We’d love to have other palms planted,” he said, as the palms are a recognizable part of the hotel’s frontage. Photos of La Valencia show the growing palms planted fairly early in the 98-year-old hotel’s history, though the exact date the trees were established isn’t known.
Though it’s “sad and difficult to have to lose these iconic trees, especially close to the 100th anniversary,” Longwith said, he’s looking forward to “a new generation of palms.”
Watch the video of the removal:
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