Seventy percent of the trees in Alameda Hidalgo—the city center’s main “green lung”—are affected by mistletoe, reported Guadalupe Espinoza, the Secretary of the Environment for the Municipality of Querétaro.
The official noted that the issue is already being addressed and announced the upcoming launch of a “green button” feature for citizens to register trees suffering from pest problems.
She reported that, in collaboration with the Municipal Public Services Secretariat, significant efforts are underway to receive and respond to reports of mistletoe in the trees. “We are currently working on the ‘Ciudad Querétaro’ app; we are about to launch a green button where citizens can register trees they see affected by mistletoe, which will assist us,” she said.
She indicated that the budget allocated to combat mistletoe in Alameda Hidalgo has increased by 50%; 600,000 pesos were allocated last year, compared to 900,000 pesos this year.
Last year, approximately 200 trees in the Alameda were treated during the initial phase; the park is estimated to contain around 1,800 trees.
She stated that, in coordination with community groups, plans are being made to create a map identifying trees with specific phytosanitary issues, allowing for the development of a targeted treatment strategy.
“For the time being, we—along with Municipal Public Services—will continue to address the situation in the Alameda very specifically; funds have been allocated through the Municipal Environmental Fund to proceed with the second phase of mistletoe treatment in the park,” she said.
Espinoza reported that, as part of the reforestation program implemented by the Municipality of Querétaro, nearly 5,000 trees have been planted to date, with a goal of reaching 70,000 by the end of the year.
“So far, we have planted nearly 5,000 trees; our achievable target was 60,000, but with the public’s support, we are now aiming for 70,000 trees,” the official said. Experts indicate that prolonged water stress and steadily rising temperatures have accelerated the proliferation of plant pests affecting trees in the state of Querétaro, according to reports from environmental authorities such as Mexico’s Secretariat of the Environment.
Key organisms affecting both the ecosystems of Querétaro’s Sierra Gorda and urban trees include parasitic plants like mistletoe, the excessive spread of Tillandsia (often known locally as heno motita), and various species of bark beetles and wood-boring insects.
Moisture loss weakens the trees’ natural defense mechanisms, facilitating the spread of these pests across their trunks and canopies.
Sector institutions warn that these infestations lead to the gradual deterioration of trees, a loss of vegetation, and an increased risk of branches falling onto public thoroughfares.
Source: eluniversalqueretaro
