By Corey Everitt
The removal of thousands of pine trees at Cardinia Reservoir is underway to prevent the ongoing spread of a parasitic pest insect.
Giant pine scale is a large insect native to the Eastern Mediterranean which feeds off the sap of pine, fir and spruce trees.
It was first detected in Melbourne in 2014. They are notoriously difficult to contain and pose a threat to public parks and the State’s softwood industry.
20 trees were detected with pine scale infestation at Cardinia Reservoir in 2017.
Melbourne Water have initiated various control measures in the proceeding year to “limited impact”, they say, with the insect spreading to thousands over about a 40 ha area.
Giant pine scale has no known predators in Australia nor any effective chemical treatments for its control.
Infested trees display a “white wax secretion resembling cotton wool” along branches. The tree will eventually dry up and die.
Dead trees increase fuel during potential bushfires and are safety hazards for workers on site.
Resorting to removal will hopefully quell the spread and retain a large portion of the 44,000 pine trees at the reservoir.
One in six pine trees across the catchment are being removed.
One concerned resident called the Gazette to not oppose the removal, but to seek clarity around concerns regarding truck movements on the narrow Red Hill Road and potential affects to the yellow-tailed black-cockatoos.
Contractors are using Beaconsfield-Emerald Road to access the site.
“Trucks travel along a bitumen road to reduce dust with water carts to wash the road, as needed, and logs are chained down for extra safety,” Melbourne Water Executive General Manager, Service Delivery, Sue Jackman said.
More than 33,000 native flora are being planted while the pine trees are removed.
Black cockatoos do feed on pine cones and seeds, however, the native replacement is being done with them in mind.
“Melbourne Water contractors are replanting the works site with native plants and trees, including she-oaks and Banksias, which provide the seeds and cones that yellow-tailed black cockatoos love to eat,” Jackman said.
Melbourne Water has collaborated with the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action to build a Biosecurity Plan for the safe removal of trees.
The works are expected for completion in August this year.
An active containment program is under way across Victoria. Agriculture Victoria says early reporting is essential to stop the spread.
You can report suspected sightings of giant pine scale to Agriculture Victoria by phoning the customer contact centre on 136 186.
