Source: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/PlantQuality/PestandDiseaseAlerts/DatePalmLethalDecline/DatePalmLethalDeclineInformation.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 10:21:18+00:00

Document:
To prevent the establishment and spread of date palm lethal decline in Texas and to eradicate local infestations, TDA has instituted a quarantine affecting certain areas outside of Texas and certain areas inside the state.
TDA’s Date Palm Lethal Decline Quarantine regulations are found in the Texas Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 19, Subchapter E.
CLICK HERE to view TDA's Date Palm Lethal Decline Quarantine regulations in page-layout format, for your convenience.
CLICK HERE to view TDA's Date Palm Lethal Decline Quarantine on the Texas Secretary of State's website.
(3) Houston-A Quarantined Area includes parts of Harris County.
(a) As of 08/07/2017, the boundary of Houston-A Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.795285,-95.400805.
(b) As of 08/07/2017, the boundary of Core Area 1 of Houston-A Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.795285,-95.400805.
(4) Seabrook Quarantined Area includes parts of Harris County.
(a) As of 08/07/2017, the boundary of Seabrook Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.559337,-95.019459.
(b) As of 08/07/2017, the boundary of Core Area 1 of Seabrook Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.559337,-95.019459.
(5) Shoreacres Quarantined Area includes parts of Harris County.
(a) As of 06/21/2016, the boundary of Shoreacres Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.620113,-95.012818.
(b) As of 06/21/2016, the boundary of Core Area 1 of Shoreacres Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.620113,-95.012818.
(6) CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAP OF HARRIS COUNTY QUARANTINED AREAS AND THEIR CORE AREAS.
Detailed information on the quarantined areas may be obtained from Environmental & Biosecurity Programs, Agriculture & Consumer Protection Division, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711; phone 800-835-5812.
08/07/2017. The Seabrook Quarantined Area and its Core Area 1 are hereby added to the quarantined areas in Rule §19.51. This quarantined area includes areas in Harris County.The boundary of Seabrook Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.559337,-95.019459. The boundary of Core Area 1 of Houston-A Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.559337,-95.019459.
08/07/2017. The Houston-A Quarantined Area and its Core Area 1 are hereby added to the quarantined areas in Rule §19.51. This quarantined area includes areas in Harris County.The boundary of Houston-A Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.795285,-95.400805. The boundary of Core Area 1 of Houston-A Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.795285,-95.400805.
06/21/2016. The Shoreacres Quarantined Area and its Core Area 1 are hereby added to the quarantined areas in Rule §19.51. This quarantined area includes areas in Harris County.The boundary of Shoreacres Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area two miles in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.620113,-95.012818. The boundary of Core Area 1 of Shoreacres Quarantined Area is described by a line that includes the area one mile in all directions around a point described by latitude-longitude coordinates 29.620113,-95.012818.
06/21/2016. The Houston-1506 Quarantined Area and its Core Area 1, previously (06/19/2015) declared (below), are hereby removed from the quarantined areas and core areas in Rule §19.51. This quarantined area included part of Harris County.
06/19/2015. The Houston-1506 Quarantined Area and its Core Area 1 are hereby added to the quarantined areas in Rule §19.51. This quarantined area includes areas in Harris County.The boundary of Quarantined Area H-1506 is described by the following (latitude,longitude) line: Starting at (29.7747344,-95.4943528), go east to (29.7747344,-95.4276718), go south to (29.7168444,-95.4276718), go west to (29.7168444,-95.4943528), then go north to the starting point.The boundary of Core Area-1 of Quarantined Area 1506 is described by the following (latitude,longitude) line: Starting at (29.7602619,-95.4776825), go east to (29.7602619,-95.4443421), go south to (29.7313169,-95.4443421), go west to (29.7313169,-95.4776825) , then go north to the starting point.
04/26/2015. Adopted amendments to Rule §19.50 and new Rule §19.51 became effective on this date. The amendments to §19.50 clarify which phytoplasma causes date palm lethal decline. New Rule §19.51 streamlines the process of designating, modifying or deregulating quarantined areas.
WHAT CAN TEXAS NURSERIES DO?
Nurseries can monitor for symptoms of lethal decline on quarantined palms such as the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Canary Island date palm (P. canariensis), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and sabal palm (also commonly known as sabal palmetto, cabbage palm, palmetto, palmetto palm, blue palmetto, Carolina palmetto, common palmetto, and swamp cabbage) (Sabal palmetto), whether grown in Texas or imported from other states. If suspected symptoms are observed, notify the nearest TDA Regional Office for inspection and diagnosis.
On imported palms from Florida, check for Date Palm Lethal Decline certification on the phytosanitary certificate and inspect plants for symptoms of date palm lethal decline. The phytosanitary certificate should state, "Palms in this shipment meet the conditions of the Texas Date Palm Lethal Decline Quarantine." Also, information about the treatment required within 48 hours prior to shipment and the date treated should be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.
In addition, verify that the imported palm shipments meet the Texas quarantine requirements for Burrowing Nematode, Diaprepes Root Weevil, Red Palm Mite, Lethal Yellowing and that they are certified free from any other plant pest as required under the General Quarantine Provisions (see 4 TAC chapter 19 for details). Note that date palm, Phoenix dactylifera; Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis; and silver date palm, Phoenix sylvestris are prohibited entry from Florida, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Territory of Guam under the Lethal Yellowing quarantine. If any symptoms of date palm lethal decline are observed on the palms, immediately inform the Texas Department of Agriculture office nearest you.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LETHAL DECLINE?
Juvenile palms: Extensive root decay early in disease development seems to be a common symptom. Leaf death necrosis is exhibited on the lowest leaves first and continues upward through the canopy, with the spear leaf dying last.
Mature palms: The first obvious symptom on mature palms is a premature drop of most or all fruits and flower necrosis follows. These symptoms will only be observed if the palm is at fruit bearing stage and in season for flowering and fruiting. The next symptom is discoloration of the foliage beginning with the oldest leaves. The leaves do not turn yellow or may do so briefly, but quickly turn varying shades of reddish-brown to dark brown or gray. The discoloration begins at leaf tips. When less than 1/4 to 1/3 old leaves discolor and become necrotic, the spear leaf dies and there is no further development of new leaves. The remaining leaves continue to discolor from the oldest to the youngest. Mature roots of palms at or near the soil surface become soft in texture and are easily broken. The palm can be easily rocked back and forth in the ground because the root system is decaying. This symptom is not typical for palms affected by lethal yellowing phytoplasma, causing another dreadful disease in palms.
Phoenix palms have numerous leaves surrounding the spear leaf. Unless the spear leaf is dead or hanging from the canopy or is on the ground the canopy must be inspected. The young spear leaf on Canary Island date palm is often enclosed in a sheath that is brown and very thin. Do not confuse this brown sheath for a dead spear leaf. If the spear leaf has died the palm should be removed as soon as possible since no new growth will occur, and the diseased palm will serve as a source of phytoplasma that can be transmitted to healthy palms by insect vectors.
CAN PALMS BE SHIPPED FROM QUARANTINED AREAS OF TEXAS?
1) Quarantined palms located within one mile of a known infected tree may not move from the quarantined area for a period of six months following removal of an infected tree.
b. They have been treated with a pesticide labeled by EPA and approved by TDA using the label directions for leafhopper control for a period of three months prior to shipment; and in addition, are treated within 48 hours prior to movement.
c. additionally treated within 48 hours prior to movement.
4) The tools used in pruning and handling of host plants may be allowed movement from the quarantined area if disinfected with one part liquid household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to four parts water or some other suitable disinfectant.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SHIP PALMS FROM QUARANTINED AREAS?
Regulated palms can be treated using any pesticide registered for ornamentals to control leafhoppers and used according to the label directions. Examples are the pesticides labeled for leafhopper control containing acephate, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, imidacloprid, permethrin, etc. Information on leafhoppers is available at the AgriLife Extension website: http://hortipm.tamu.edu/pestprofiles/sucking/leafhopper/leafhopper.html.
CAN PALMS BE IMPORTED FROM FLORIDA?
1) Quarantined palms located within two miles of known infected trees are prohibited. Quarantined palms located more than two miles from known infected trees must be inspected within 24 hours prior to shipment with no symptoms of date palm lethal decline apparent. They must be under a prescribed pest management program for six weeks prior to shipment and receive a final treatment within 48 hours prior to movement.
2) If all conditions are met and no disease symptoms are observed, the inspector should issue a state phytosanitary certificate and write additional declaration, "Palms in this shipment meet the conditions of the Texas Date Palm Lethal Decline Quarantine." Also, information about the treatment required within 48 hours of shipment and the date treated should be indicated in the treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate.
Note that only sabal palm (Sabal palmatto) and queen palms (Syagrus romazoffiana) can be imported from Florida under the lethal decline quarantine. Phoenix palms, such as Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Canary Island date palm (P. canariensis) and Sylvester date palm (P. sylvestris) are prohibited entry under the Texas Lethal Yellowing Quarantine.

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