State declares citrus quarantine in Fallbrook

The California Department of Food and Agriculture declared a new citrus quarantine in Fallbrook on Sept. 16 after detecting the fatal citrus tree disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in one mandarin tree in a residential neighborhood in the Fallbrook area during regular inspections.

This bacterial disease is a major threat to San Diego County's $138 million annual citrus crop and can impact residential citrus tree owners. HLB causes misshapen, bitter fruit and eventually kills infected trees. There are over 456 businesses that may be affected by the new quarantine, includi...