{"id":17877,"date":"2019-06-03T08:29:10","date_gmt":"2019-06-03T15:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=17877"},"modified":"2019-06-03T08:39:06","modified_gmt":"2019-06-03T15:39:06","slug":"residents-urged-against-moving-citrus-material-this-summer-due-to-harmful-plant-disease-from-the-orange-county-breeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2019\/06\/03\/residents-urged-against-moving-citrus-material-this-summer-due-to-harmful-plant-disease-from-the-orange-county-breeze\/","title":{"rendered":"California residents urged not to move citrus material this summer due to harmful plant disease – From the Orange County Breeze"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California residents are being urged to avoid transporting citrus fruit during the upcoming summer travel season due to the highest-ever threat of a deadly citrus tree disease called Huanglongbing (HLB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HLB is spread by a tiny insect, the Asian citrus psyllid, as it feeds on citrus tree leaves. The small pest can have devastating consequences to California\u2019s citrus trees \u2013 both backyard and commercial \u2013 if it is unknowingly transported on citrus tree leaves and stems. While HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, there is no cure for the disease and infected trees will die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to AAA, over 68 million families are expected to travel this summer. All citrus tree owners among those travelers should obey quarantine restrictions throughout the state that limit the transport of citrus across state and international lines, and between areas where the psyllid and disease have been found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, more than 1,000 square miles within Southern California in numerous communities of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties are in an HLB quarantine area. At this time in 2018, 683 square miles were in quarantine, meaning the disease is spreading to new areas and the overall HLB quarantine area has increased by 47%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe threat of HLB in California serves as a reminder that all residents should not transport citrus in and out of quarantine areas, bordering counties, state lines or international borders,\u201d said Victoria Hornbaker, interim director of the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). \u201cWe must work together to limit the spread of the pest and disease to ensure California citrus continues to grow in our backyards and commercial orchards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tree owners may choose to share fruit with friends and family within their quarantine area, but all leaves must be removed and fruit washed thoroughly before moving it from the property. Residents should be sure to dry out citrus clippings or double bag them before disposal. This prevents the psyllids or leaves infected with Huanglongbing from spreading to new areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All California residents are critical to protecting the state\u2019s citrus trees. Tips for citrus tree owners include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n