California Department of Agriculture (CDFA) officials have removed the pummelo tree infected with Huanglongbing disease (HLB) found March 22 in the Hacienda Heights residential area in southeastern Los Angeles County.

The tree was sent to a CDFA lab for analysis and safe disposal. 

CDFA photos of the actual infected tree illustrate the symptomatic blotchy leaves associated with a HLB-infected citrus tree.

HLB is spread mostly by the Asian citrus psyllid insect and occasionally through budwood.

This is the first HLB case found in California. The disease has not been found in California commercial citrus orchards, or in Arizona.

The disease was first found in the U.S. in Florida in 2005 following the first psyllid find there in 1998. HLB was found in Texas commercial citrus this January.

HLB kills every citrus tree it infects. There is no threat to human health from the disease or the psyllid.

To report a citrus tree with these symptoms, call the CDFA pest hotline at (800) 491-1899.