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Why are some Tampa Bay palms turning brown? An incurable disease is being blamed

Scientists say lethal bronzing disease is killing palm trees in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

TAMPA, Fla. — See any brown palm trees lately?

Lethal bronzing disease might be to blame, and it's impacting several palm trees in much of Florida, including the Tampa Bay region.

Eric Muecke, Tampa's urban forestry manager, said there's no cure for the disease that gets its name from the color of dying trees. It's believed the disease is spread by an insect called a "planthopper," which could be several species.

Muecke doesn't know a specific number of trees impacted or killed by the disease but says it is sporadically found in numerous local counties.

Tampa has a program where they inoculate 300 trees at 24 different locations every four months to try and prevent infection, Muecke said. It costs the city $9,000 for each application.

The disease, which first was seen in Texas, spread here in the early 2000s, Muecke said. He says if there is a tree impacted on city property, the city schedules a removal.

More: Lethal bronzing disease fact sheet from the Florida Department of Agriculture

Private horticulturist Stan Defreitas tells 10News he just started getting calls about the disease.

"Bronzing disease is a new disease that we've come across, and it seems to be getting into a number of palms," Defreitas said."Many palms can cost thousands, so losing them can be financially devastating."

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