What Is Happening to the Palm Trees?

As I walk around Mexico City, I have noticed that many of the city's palm trees are dying.  The fronds are turning brown and wilting.

In April of 2022 the city lost its most famous palm tree, a 70-foot high, 100-year-old palm that stood in the middle of a roundabout along the Paseo de la Reforma.  It had a fungus infection and could not be saved.  It was cut down, and an "ahuehuete" (Montezuma cypress) was planted in its place.  That tree died within a few weeks of planting after it was rammed by a car.  It was removed, another cypress was planted, and an ugly barricade was placed around the roundabout.  That tree is struggling but is still alive.

The recent spate of dying palms, according to what I have read, is due to insect pests and climate change.  The species affected is the Canary Island date palms.  Warmer temperatures have stressed these palms which prefer a mild climate, and they have become more susceptible to infestations of red palm weevils.  Last summer 155 dying palm trees were removed, and from the looks of things, many more will have to be cut down.