The WA government has issued a biosecurity alert, warning West Australians about the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) infestation which has the potential to be disastrous for trees in our community. 

PSHB is a wood-boring exotic beetle that excavates tunnels in trees, cultivating the fungus as a food source and disrupting the plant vascular systems and the flow of water and nutrients. 

PSHB was first detected in WA in 2021 and has been confirmed at hundreds of sites across Perth ranging from backyards, street verges to public open spaces, parks, and reserves. 

In hopes to reduce the spread of PSHB, the government has developed a Quarantine Area (QA) across the Perth metropolitan area, which includes a small part of the City of Kalamunda. 

• Top tree hosts including Maple, Plane, Robinia, Poplars, Oak, Avocado, Fig, and Coral Tree 

• Seeking a permit through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development if movement conditions are not met

Firewood is also a common vehicle used by PSHB to spread infestation, hence the government is instilling a new ‘Buy it when you burn it’ policy, advising people not to move firewood long distances, to stop the spread.