Polyphagous shot-hole borer
The polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB or borer) is a serious issue across the Perth metropolitan area. It attacks by tunnelling into trunks and branches and can spread quickly to other trees once established.
The City is working to limit the spread and retain and restore our tree canopy.
For more information on PSHB visit DPIRD website.
Current situation
As of July 2025, the national response to the borer has transitioned to a management phase. This follows a decision by the National Management Group that it is no longer technically feasible to eradicate the pest. The focus is now limiting the spread of the borer.
We are working to minimise further tree loss and protect our tree canopy. A successful trial at Hyde Park is showing positive results and we are now preparing to expand this work to multiple locations across the City.
The below video explains the current plan for minimising PSHB in the City of Vincent.
What we're doing
The City is undertaking a number of actions to protect and enhance our tree canopy including:
- Installation of 50 PSHB traps throughout key locations, as part of ongoing management.
- Preferencing the use of Australian and Western Australian native, non-PSHB host species in planting project to improve the resilience of our urban forest against current and future threats.
- Increasing the number of new trees planted annually to counteract canopy loss on public land due to PSHB.
- Investigating and facilitating trial chemical treatments to protect high-value heritage trees.
- Formation of the Perth Inner City Local Government PSHB Working Group to information share and coordinate PSHB response as we transition to management.
- Participation in the Western Australian Local Government PSHB Working Group.
Our focus is on retaining the existing tree canopy, however, to stop the spread to high value heritage trees some removal may be required.
Upcoming works
The City is undertaking a number ongoing and proactive treatments including:
Hazard reduction pruning in Hyde Park - Monday 16 February to Tuesday 24 February 2026
- Removal of deadwood from trees surrounding the lake
- Removal of mature cones from the four Bunya pines throughout Hyde Park
- Removal of two highly infested insignificant trees
About the borer
What is the polyphagous shot-hole borer?
The shot-hole borer is a small beetle native to Southeast Asia.
About the size of a sesame seed, it tunnels into the trunks, stems and branches of trees and plants.
In susceptible trees, the fungus cultivated by the shot-hole borer disrupts the plant’s vascular system stopping the flow of water and nutrients and can lead to branch dieback and tree death.
Quarantine area
A Quarantine Area (QA) covering the entire Perth metropolitan area is in place, with restrictions on the movement of wood, green waste, mulch, live plants, and plant material. Vincent is included in the Management Zone of the DIPIRD quarantine area. The following restrictions apply:
- PSHB host plants with a stem greater than 2 cm in diameter must not be moved out of the Management Zone. A full list of PSHB host plants can be found here: PSHB Hosts List
- Untreated or unseasoned wood or plant parts greater than 2.5 cm in diameter must not be moved out of the Management Zone.
- Treated or seasoned wood or wood products to be used for construction, fencing, furniture, packaging or pallets may be freely moved.
Any machinery used to process wood must be cleaned of all wood and plant material prior to leaving the Management Zone.
Susceptible tree species
The highest risk tree species are the box elder maple (Acer negundo), robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and coral tree (Erythrina x sykesii). Other key host species for surveillance include plane (Platanus), fig (Ficus), poinciana (Delonix), mirror bush (Coprosma) and mulberry (Morus).
A full list of PSHB host plants can be found here: PSHB Hosts List
Green waste collections
Your green waste collection can be booked as normal. However, please check for signs of the borer both before and after pruning.
Look for holes that are approximately the size of a ballpoint pen tip, galleries (tunnels) and frass (noodles) or crystalline foam (sugar volcanoes) coming from the holes.
Check your trees
We are encouraging the community to report suspected shot-hole borer damage to DPIRD.
Detection can be difficult as they are very small – roughly the size of a sesame seed. However, there are several symptoms that can indicate a tree may be infested.
The below video by DPIRD explains how to spot the signs.
If you suspect borer damage, report it to DPIRD on 9368 3080, [email protected], or via the MyPestGuide app.
Latest news
Posted 30 January 2026
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Hyde Park
The City, in collaboration with a team of highly specialised arborists, will be undertaking PSHB-related pruning and chemical treatment works
Posted 19 May 2025
Borer affected trees removed from islands at Hyde Park
Work is underway by DPIRD to remove trees heavily infested with Polyphagous shot-hole borer from the islands at Hyde Park.
Posted 10 December 2024
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Beatty Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has confirmed an infestation of Polyphagous shot-hole borer at Beatty Park.
Posted 08 October 2024
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Hyde Park
Treatment will start with the most heavily infested trees from 14 October 2024.
Posted 21 February 2024
Hyde Park Reference Group nominations open
We are looking for volunteers to guide the restoration of our tree canopy.
Posted 19 April 2023
PSHB Treatment at Hyde Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will be undertaking works in Hyde Park from late May to stop the spread of the invasive pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer.
Posted 24 January 2023
PSHB Tree Management at Hyde Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will be treating trees infected by the Polyphagous shot-hole borer at Hyde Park in Feburary.
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