The Brief
- A bacterial infection called lethal bronzing is killing palm trees across Florida.
- More than two dozen palms were recently removed from Clearwater’s Coachman Park.
- Experts said there’s no cure, but preventive treatments and replacement planting are options.
TAMPA, Fla. – Florida’s iconic palms, including the state tree, the sabal palm, are facing a growing threat from a disease known as lethal bronzing.
What we know:
The bacterial infection is spread by a small plant-hopping insect that draws on its sap. Once infected, the trees cannot be saved, leading to removals like the recent effort in Clearwater, where more than two dozen infected palms were cut down. …