The trees, planted July 21 along the iconic hotel’s frontage, replaced two Canary Island date palms removed in February.

Longstanding La Valencia Hotel on Prospect Street in La Jolla has two new palm trees as of July 21, replacing two Canary Island date palms removed in February. 

The removed trees became infested with South American palm weevils, which leads to palm tree death.

“We’re just excited,” La Valencia general manager Troy Longwith said after the new palm trees went in. “It was obviously sad when we lost the [first] two palms.”

The replacement trees are Medjool date palms, grown at a nursery in Palm Springs. The trees are 20 to 25 feet tall and will grow taller over the decades.

Each new tree currently weighs about four tons.

La Valencia selected the Medjool date palm as they are not as susceptible to weevil infestation as the Canary Island variety.

The South American weevil “isn’t fond” of the new trees, Longwith said, as the Medjool date palms have a smaller heart and therefore are more difficult to infest.

The new trees’ fronds are tied up for now; they will remain that way for six to eight weeks while the roots settle and stabilize.

Once that’s done, La Valencia will hold a ceremony to let the fronds down, Longwith said.

The new trees will also receive much supervision to prevent against infestation, even as it appears a third
Canary Island date palm at the hotel has not responded to treatment and will die from weevils.

“We’re looking at options,” Longwith said. “We’re happy for everyone’s patience” during the process.

© lajolla.ca