Fight against the invasive lucky palm

20 volunteers from the Eden Roc Hotel in Ascona gathered in Tegna to combat the spread of the invasive palm tree. The palm, which was once used to decorate gardens and avenues, has spread throughout the forests of Ticino thanks to its particular resistance to cold and altitude. The spread of the palm tree in the forests is considered a problem for local biodiversity: by colonizing large areas, it hinders the natural regeneration of the forest and leads to an impoverishment of the undergrowth. The plant's large, fan-shaped leaves prevent light from reaching the soil, thus displacing other native species and the shallow root depth reduces the stability of the soil and alters its composition. In short, the problem is so great that the floodplain of Tegna, which has been severely affected by the spread of the palm tree, has not been classified as a floodplain of national importance, unlike the Valle Maggia, just a few kilometers away.

Immediate success & motivated helpers

The palm's dense, opaque leaves and shallow roots displace native species and impair the stability of the soil. The volunteers were informed by Arbeitseinsatz.ch about the problem and control methods and began to cut down and uproot the palm trees with pickaxes, tree shears and drills. The hotel employees, already experienced in the fight against palm trees, were highly motivated. Their work visibly led to a recovery of the native plant species in the areas that had already been treated.

A special working day

In addition to the physical work, the volunteers enjoyed the time in nature. A shared lunch, provided by the Azienda agricola la Colombera, rounded off the successful day. Many thanks to the dedicated helpers from the Hotel Eden Roc!