ORLANDO, Fla. — Palm trees are a common sight in Florida, but a disease spreading through central Florida could cost residents who have the trees in their yards.
Fusarium disease spreads easily, and experts say there's no cure.
Horticultural experts say that if a plant has the disease, an owner should cut it down and get rid of it immediately.
The disease is killing specific species of trees: the Washingtonia palm and the queen palm.
"It is a really quick-acting disease, which means it is going to kill the palm within a month or two," UF residential horticultural agent Jennifer Pelham said.
Experts said that when a queen palm or Washingtonia palm gets Fusarium disease there is no turning back. It is lethal and it spreads through wind or pruning.
"If one tree looks diseased, before you go and prune another palm tree, make sure you clean your tools off with some rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution," Pelham said. "The fronds start to die, and when they die, the palm fronds kind of stay in place."
Pelham said it's likely that the disease came to Florida on plant material through one of the ports, and then spread.
While there is no cure for the disease, scientists said they are working to change that.
"The scientists at the University of Florida are always trying to find a cure for this disease, but right now there isn't any, unfortunately," Pelham said.
Experts also recommend that people diversify when planting trees in their yards because not all species of trees are susceptible to catching the same diseases.
WFTV
