Pisa invests €207,000 to protect 2,600 pine trees from scale insects

The city of Pisa has launched a €207,000 initiative to protect approximately 2,600 pine trees from an infestation of scale insects, specifically the pine tortoise scale. The program aims to preserve the city's urban greenery and natural landscape.

The intervention utilizes endotopy, a phytosanitary technique where insecticide is injected directly into the tree trunk through small holes. This method uses the plant's natural lymphatic flow to carry the active ingredient to the canopy. This approach is noted for its ecological safety, as it avoids the use of aerial sprays or atomizers, thereby preventing chemical dispersion into the environment.

Mayor Michele Conti inspected the ongoing operations at Lungarno Fibonacci near Giardino Scotto. While the municipal funds cover urban areas including parks, gardens, and school grounds, Conti emphasized that the Tuscany Region must also take action to protect pine forests in coastal and natural areas that remain at high risk.