PORTLAND, Maine — Officials in Maine’s largest city say they’re getting ready to deal with an infestation of a destructive forest pest in one of the Portland’s most prominent public spaces.
Portland officials say the parks department has been monitoring oak trees in Deering Oaks Park and has identified a “limited infestation” of browntail moths. The moths are capable of killing trees, and their caterpillars have poisonous hairs that can cause a rash in humans.
[Toxic moths are on the move in Maine]
The city said Tuesday that forestry crews have been clipping branches over the last several months to reduce the threat of the moths. It says a number of trees will also be injected with a spray application. That work can’t start until leaves start to grow on the trees, and that is anticipated next week.
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