Scale on my trees D:

[rch003]

This just clicked, i saw some thing about bottle-brushes having scales and i just realised that my trident maple has been covered in them for years

and spreading to my umbrella tree etc, what can i do!!!!

[Pup]

Use pestoil not white oil. Use as per instructions, you can also pick them off or use a cotton bud with methalated spirits and dab them with that, it will get rid of them.
Just pestoil is quicker.

[rch003]

Cheers mate, i thought it was the new bark or something forming on my maple, then i saw it on the others....might explain for hindered growth D:

[Taffy]

RC, as Pup said 'use pest oil not white oil'. White oil clogs up the leaves and bark so the tree can't 'breathe'. People have killed trees using White Oil. Make sure when you do spray, to do under the leaves as well. Also at the base of the leaves (petioles), every branch all round and the trunk from top to bottom. In other words, do the complete tree. Leave one scale insect untouched and you'll have another infestation in no time.

[rch003]

Yeah thanks mate, i picked quite a few if not all off today, they looked already dead, some still alive, sprayed with some insect stuff, if they come back i will get some oil...are spiders okay on your trees :/

[Taffy]

Spiders are fine. If I find any on my trees when I'm pruning or whatever, I relocate them to another tree. Spiders are insectivores, so can do a lot of good for a tree. Same with Praying Mantis (love those creatures), they also get relocated. The spiders I find are mainly the hunter varieties - they don't grow webs. Spiderwebs aren't too good, they make the tree look messy and uncared for. They can be a real problem on pines - especially more advanced ones, because they reduce air flow around the buds and in between the needles if they are very dense clusters. True Ladybirds are fine as well - they devour aphids.