Saudi Arabia bans planting of palm trees in gardens

Saudi authorities have banned the planting of palm trees in gardens and on roads to control the spread of the red palm weevil, a pest that causes severe damage to the trees, an official said.

The Saudi Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued a circular to all municipalities across the kingdom, Fayez Al Faridi, the head of tree planting and parks department at the ministry, said.

“They have been replaced with other trees, with emphasis on local trees that consume less amounts of water,” he told Al Arabiya TV.

31m palm trees

Saudi Arabia, a key palm cultivator, has around 31 million palm trees. Saudi dates accounted for 17 per cent of global production, the centre added in statistics released last year.

Last February, an adhoc government committee led by the minister of environment, water and agriculture, recommended a ban on palms in public gardens and on roads.

The red palm weevil larvae inflict heavy damage on palm tissues and weaken the trunk.