oak and maple scale

Klogan121

Hello,

If I remove the hard black scale (on my maples 9' tall) and the soft brown scale on my oaks, will the tree finally grow the leaves out completely? Some of my trees look sick due to this blasted scale, and am wondering if removing the scale (which I can do, trees are small) will help them to leaf out fully and be more healthy?

After I remove the scale, what type if insecticide should be applied?

Thanks for the help! Kevin

windthrown

Scales are weird creatures. I have found that agricultural oil works well for scale and mites. It kills the scale crawlers, the sale adults (that are attached and sucking the trees) and the eggs. It also kills mites and their eggs, which are more active in summer when it is hot. Spray when it is warm, but not hot, and when there is no rain in the forecast for a few days. Soak the trees with the ag oil mixed with water at the rate on the ag oil bottle. Check the scales in a few weeks after spraying to see if they are dead. Pull a few off and crush them to see if they are like dried up rice crispies, or they are still mushy and alive.

Scraping them off will also work, but that takes a lot of time. On large infestations, spraying is better to get the crawlers, adults and eggs in one shot and in far less time. Generally the best time to spray ag oil for scale is earlier in the year, when temperatures are above 40 degrees F. and below 70 F. I use Lilly Miller ag oil spray myself. Spraying in hot days is apt to burn the leaves.

Bowani Siam

Also, you need to improve the vigour of the trees. Removing the grass from around the base of the trees (if any), fertilising, regular watering and mulching all help strengthen trees and protect against future pest attacks. There will be a marked improvement!

If they are small enough trees to be accessible, scrubbing the damned things off is a good idea if you have the time and patience. Instant stress-relief for the tree.

Klogan121

Thanks for the tip, I will try that ag oil, and see if it helps!

Klogan121

Yes, I will invest the time to scrub them bastards off! I have 6-8 young trees with this scale, and I'm going to do my best to help them! Thanks for the reply too!

TreeSpecialist

Scale insects are most vulnerable when they reach the "crawler stage." Depending upon which scale you have, this can be anywhere from June through August.

Oil sprays work the best. They smother the critters and the insects cannot build up a resistance to it.

Neem oil mixed with a little Safer®?insecticidal soap is a great combination - safe for people pets and small children but deadly on small insects.

Reducing what ever stress is making the trees attractive to the scale is the next step. Be sure the trees are not planted too deep. Use compost instead of mulch around the base of the trees. Keep evenly moist and don't let them dry out. Newly planted trees require more water than even the surrounding lawn.

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Klogan121

Thanks for the tip!

I also noticed an 15' ASH on my property is totally covered in scale on many of the branches, which is also in the beginning stages of an emerald ash borer infestation too! Needless to say, that tree is coming down this week! My neighbor next to me has 3- 35' ash trees dead already, so I know mine is doomed! I believe that is where the scale is spreading to my other trees from (the ash).