Landowners will soon have to pay to have borer-infested trees removed from their property.

As part of significant changes to dealing with the polyphagous shot-hole borer invasion, which has zeroed in on Perth’s western and riverfront suburbs since 2021, trees ravaged by the pest no longer will have to be removed.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development this week confirmed tree owners would have the choice to keep, prune or remove affected trees as part of the deliberate switch in approach from attempting to eradicate the borer — which has failed — to simply managing its presence.

“It will be (an individual landowner’s) responsibility to manage their own trees and decide on management options — as with other existing plant pests or diseases — supported by DPIRD’s ad

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