Recently, a pest called the PSHB has been attacking native and landscape trees.  It has been spotted in Brea by our tree contractor, West Coast Arborists, primarily infesting our Sycamore trees.  Brea's tree inventory contains approximately 360 Sycamores.  Method of treatment depends on the severity and the length of infestation.  In the past, the solution was to remove the infested tree.  However, there are now other less severe options available in an effort to save the trees.

One of these other options involves soil drenching and trunk spraying and another is trunk injections, which contain a blend of insecticide and fungicide and is expected to give two years of treatment.  City staff feels the latter is the most cost effective and efficient option at this time.  This method has the least impact to the public compared to the spraying and soil soak methods and is expected to extend the life of the trees.  Injection costs are based on a dollar amount per tree inch diameter at chest height and three bids were received as follows:

 

We currently estimate that we will be treating over 5,000 inches, which puts West Coast Arborists, Inc. and RPW Services, Inc. at the $7.00 per inch price; however, the City has had West Coast Arborists, Inc. as our tree contractor for over twenty years and City staff feels they will do a faster, more efficient job without as much oversight since they already know our tree inventory.  Funds are available in the 2017/18 Fiscal Year budget.