Meetings planned for community as state expands citrus quarantine in North County
Asian citrus psyllids on a citrus leaf File photo courtesy County News Center The state Department of Food and Agriculture has declared a citrus quarantine expansion in Valley Center San Diego County reported Friday Representatives detected a fatal affection known as citrus greening in two trees located in residential neighborhoods during regular inspections This bacterial complaint called Huanglongbing or HLB is a major threat to San Diego County s million annual citrus crop and can impact residential citrus tree owners county authorities explained in a report HLB causes misshapen bitter fruit and eventually kills infected trees according to the county There are over businesses that may be affected by the expanded quarantine including over growers with approximately acres of commercial citrus and three commercial nurseries According to the county the state department declared the expansion on March There are existing HLB quarantines in Fallbrook Oceanside Rancho Bernardo and Valley Center the county stated adding that the expanded quarantine involves portions of citrus-growing regions in Pala and Pauma Valley Our goal is to prevent this disorder from spreading San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang stated By working together we can all protect our food supply local agriculture and surroundings from this devastating illness An exception is being made for agricultural businesses that must comply with specific requirements for cleaning packing commercial fruit prior to it being moved and remedy according to the county The ailment isn t harmful to people or animals The Asian citrus psyllid spreads HLB if it carries the bacterium when feeding on citrus trees CDFA will work with residents on restoration of citrus trees as a protective measure against the syndrome revealed county executives who added they are also notifying local citrus growers plant nurseries and other related businesses as a proactive measure Should the ailment be determined in additional citrus trees in the quarantine area state administrators will contact property owners regarding remedy and removal Infected trees may show mottled yellow leaves generally in asymmetrical patterns Those trees also may bear small asymmetrical-shaped fruit that is partially green tastes bitter and is not fit to eat or be sold according to the county San Diego County suggested that residents take several approaches inside quarantine areas including not moving citrus plants leaves or foliage into or out of the area removing all leaves and stems and thoroughly washing backyard citrus before moving it from the property where the fruit was grown and drying or double-bagging plant clippings prior to disposal They also ask that citrus trees that appear to be sick or dying even if they also appear to be well-watered and well-maintained be stated Contacting CDFA s toll-free Pest Hotline at - - or visit CDFA online Explore more information online along with photos are at California Citrus Threat Residents with questions on commercial citrus and HLB quarantine regulations may contact the San Diego Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures at - - In related news CDFA and the county will hold upcoming residents meetings The first is from to p m Thursday at the North Coast Church Pauma Valley Locality Church Drive
