Why CA Is Stripping Thousands Of Fruit Trees At SoCal Homes

REDLANDS, CA — Fruit will be removed from trees on more than 2,000 residential properties in Southern California as authorities combat a winged menace with the potential to create billions in losses and affect the state’s food supply.

That menace: The Oriental fruit fly.

The fly lays eggs in fruit, which develop into larvae, threatening over 230 crops, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“A great number of crops in California are threatened by the introduction of this pest, including pears, plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, figs, citrus, tomatoes and avocados,” according to the department.

The fly has been introduced annually into California since the mid-1960s through infested fruits and vegetables entering the state, but past infestations have been successfully eradicated.

“If left unchecked, the Oriental fruit fly could become permanently established and cause billions of dollars worth of losses annually, which would significantly impact California’s food supply,” the department said in a news release.

The homes targeted for fruit removal are in the Redlands area of San Bernardino County and will receive 48 hours' notice sometime between late January and late February. The removal is mandatory and will include citrus and some other fruits, although the trees will stay in place.