COCONUT palms may be ­symbols of the tropics to many, but a scientist says they are damaging the natural environment and may help spread dengue fever.

Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station director Dr Hugh Spencer has spent the past six years studying the impact the palms have had on native beach vegetation.

He has found the thin 50-100m line of forest that lies between the reef and rainforest - called the littoral zone - is constantly under siege from coconut palms, which edge out native trees, pounding them into submission by constantly dumping fronds and fruit on them.

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Coconuts that are left to rot on the ground collect water, providing perfect breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying mosquito.

To prevent the palms from conquering the beachfront at Cape Tribulation, Dr Spencer and a small group of volunteers have been regularly removing juvenile palms the only way they know - by hand.

Where there used to be entire groves, native plants such as pandanus and she-oaks are slowly reclaiming the beach.

"We're getting very, very good recruitment of natural vegetation," Dr Spencer said.

"We've literally removed thousands of coconuts. We're all volunteers. Nobody gets paid in this place.

"It basically means that we are protecting and recovering the most endangered of our forest types."

Cairns Regional Council general manager infrastructure services Ross McKim said the council did not have a policy either. But it did have a duty of care denutting palms to reduce the risk of liability.

"Council is aware that the removal of coconut palms can be an emotive issue and actively manage the trees that are featured along the foreshores and parks of the region," Mr McKim said.

"Council undertakes denutting and palm frond removal and manage those trees already in place, rather than remove what trees are currently there.

"While we are aware that these plants may not be native to Australia, council appreciates these palms play an important part in creating the tropical feel of the region."

Dr Spencer previously took more direct action to eliminate palms from the beachfront by boring holes in a number of palms and poisoning them.

The actions angered other locals, who referred to him as a "coconut killer".

Dr Spencer said his relationship with his critics appeared to have simmered.

"I kind of get the feeling that there is more of a mood of acceptance that they really are a problem," he said.

"I get the feeling that is starting to filter though, but I don't have any proof.

"I'm not having many people getting their knickers in a twist about coconuts being removed any more."

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