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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Perth’s tree removals are linked to polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), an invasive beetle that carries a fungus capable of damaging and killing trees. But the response has changed: in June 2025, national biosecurity decision-makers concluded that eradicating the beetle was no longer technically feasible. The strategy is now long-term management—targeted surveillance, containment, managing affected trees and rebuilding canopy.
The headline figure of “more than 2,000” should not be treated as a current total without a dated source defining the area and whether it counts infected trees, removals or both. An official DBCA factsheet indexed in July 2025 gives a larger figure—more than 3,700 PSHB-positive trees cut down—but its reporting cutoff and geographic scope are not established here. The number is therefore not a like-for-like update to the headline. DBCA factsheet
What is the beetle affecting Perth’s trees?
Polyphagous shot-hole borer, or PSHB, is a tiny invasive beetle—about 2 mm long—detected in Western Australia in August 2021. It tunnels into trunks and branches and grows Fusarium fungus inside the galleries. The fungus interferes with the tree’s transport of water and nutrients, which can lead to dieback and death. More than 500 tree and plant species have been documented as affected globally, according to the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Why are trees being cut down?
Removal can reduce a source of beetles or limit the chance that infested material will spread the pest. It is not the only management option, and the decision depends on the tree, the evidence of infestation, its location and the risk of spread.
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In June 2025, the National Management Group concluded that eradication was no longer technically feasible. DPIRD Deputy Director General Mia Carbon said the decision reflected the difficulty of detecting and controlling new infestations early, before the beetle can reproduce, and the lack of effective chemical treatments for killing it. She also said continued eradication would require removing a significant number of Perth trees and was unlikely to succeed long term. WA Government announcement, 19 June 2025
The response has shifted from trying to eliminate PSHB in WA to slowing its spread and reducing its impacts. Current responsibilities and removal approaches differ by quarantine zone:
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- Management Zone: DPIRD says government removal and pruning under the response plan have stopped. Owners and managers are responsible for affected trees, with advice and training available from DPIRD.
- Containment Zone: DPIRD handles tree removal and pruning case by case.
- Outer Perth metropolitan area: DPIRD’s targeted pruning and removal program focuses on trees considered a risk of spreading the beetle beyond the Quarantine Area.
For some trees previously designated for removal during eradication, DPIRD says owners may be able to choose department removal at no cost or keep and manage the tree themselves. Check the current zone map, Quarantine Area Notice and DPIRD’s November 2025 FAQ before making a decision.
What do the Perth examples show?
Different local reports illustrate why one citywide removal figure cannot describe every place or management decision.
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- INSECT KILLER: 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed kills Japanese Beetles, Emerald Ash Borers, Adelgids, Leafminers, Aphids, and other listed insects that damage trees and shrubs
- PROTECTS UP TO 12 MONTHS: One application kills listed insects and prevents new infestations for up to a year
- FEEDS & PROTECTS: Slow-release plant food and fertilizer improves the health of your outdoor trees and shrubs and container plants
- EASY APPLICATION: No spraying required; Simply mix and apply as directed to provide long-lasting protection and feeding in one step
- GET MORE FROM THE BLUE BOTTLE: The threats of invasive insect species that attack trees and shrubs continues to spread across the country; Take action to protect your trees with our collection of tree and shrub products
City of Perth: targeted local treatment and surveillance
The City of Perth says its program uses trapping, ground inspections and aerial assessment. It reported that two trees within City boundaries were removed because of PSHB in 2024/25. The City also reported approximately 95% beetle reduction from bifenthrin treatment at identified locations. That is a council-reported local result, not a general treatment guarantee or advice for household use; the City says the treatments were conducted under DPIRD’s emergency-use permit and safety protocols. City of Perth, 18 March 2026
Kings Park: removal followed by staged restoration
At Kings Park, heavy infestation on the Mount Eliza escarpment required tree removal in 2024–25 to protect the botanic garden, parkland and bushland. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority describes staged restoration planting of about 60,000 trees and shrubs grown from locally collected seed. It also reports a significant drop in PSHB presence in traps following removals in March 2024. Mount Eliza Escarpment Project
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- Kill borers, miners and more in your lawn and garden with Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate with Systemaxx from Bonide
- Concentrate dissolves in water allowing the insecticide to move through the root zone; once in the roots, it moves up through the tree or shrub providing protection from insects; also provides protection for new growth
- Designed for use on listed fruit, nut and ornamental trees and shrubs including roses, apple, peach, cherry trees and more
- Tree and shrub insect control is rainproof within hours; for best results, spray with enough time for it to completely dry before it rains; this long lasting solution will not wash off after it has dried
- This concentrated product arrives ready to mix with water; to use, mix with water according to product label, shake well and apply as a spray or drench; for full use instructions, please see product label
How can you tell if a tree may have shot-hole borer?
DPIRD lists signs that may be associated with PSHB. None of these signs alone confirms an infestation; suspected activity should be reported for assessment.
- Tiny holes about 1 mm wide in the trunk or branches.
- Tunnels or galleries beneath the bark.
- Branch dieback, dark staining or lesions.
- Sawdust-like frass near holes.
- Resin, gum or sap on the trunk or branches.
What should you do if you find holes in a tree?
- Report the suspected beetle. Use MyPestGuide Reporter, or contact DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) on (08) 9368 3080 or at [email protected]. Include clear information about the location and signs observed.
- Check the applicable quarantine rules. Use the current Quarantine Area Notice and zone map before pruning, removing, transporting or disposing of wood or plant material.
- Keep tools clean after contact with infested wood. DPIRD recommends disinfecting tools such as chainsaws and woodchippers; its preferred disinfectant is 70% ethanol. Tool disinfection is hygiene guidance, not a way to treat a tree or kill beetles inside it.
Can you move firewood, green waste or plant material?
Movement restrictions apply to materials including unseasoned or untreated wood, green waste, live plants and other plant material. The precise rules depend on the quarantine zone and the current notice, so check those requirements before moving anything.
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- INSECT KILLER: 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed kills Japanese Beetles, Emerald Ash Borers, Adelgids, Leafminers, Aphids, and other listed insects that damage trees and shrubs
- PROTECTS UP TO 12 MONTHS: One application kills listed insects and prevents new infestations for up to a year
- FEEDS & PROTECTS: Slow-release plant food improves the health of your outdoor trees, shrubs, and container plants
- EASY APPLICATION: No spraying or mixing required; Measure with the built-in cup, sprinkle around the base, and water in
- GET MORE FROM THE BLUE BOTTLE: The threats of invasive insect species that attack trees and shrubs continues to spread across the country; Take action to protect your trees with our collection of tree and shrub products
DPIRD advises buying firewood where it will be burned. Do not burn suspect infested wood: beetles can disperse when infested wood is burnt. See the current DPIRD PSHB guidance and the WA Government announcement for movement and firewood advice.
What is being done to replace lost canopy?
Canopy recovery is part of the response. DPIRD’s November 2025 FAQ describes several programs, but dates and eligibility should be checked against current government information:
- The 2025–26 State Budget committed $6.9 million to a tree rebate program and $10 million to grants intended to increase urban canopy.
- The FAQ describes a planned rebate providing 10,000 West Australians each year with $150 to plant native trees.
- It also describes a $7.2 million WA Tree Recovery Program to help revegetate Perth’s urban canopy.
These are program commitments and descriptions in DPIRD’s November 2025 FAQ, not a guarantee that every resident or site qualifies. Species and planting locations need to suit local conditions. DPIRD FAQ
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