Scale Insects on Trees

Scale insect on magnolia

Before the leaves emerge this spring, look around your landscape for scale insects. Although a wide variety of plants can be affected by scale, it is common on euonymus, oak and magnolia. Look for immobile adults like those pictured on the magnolia above or pin oak below. At this stage in their life cycle, scale can be treated with dormant oil. When eggs (located below this protective covering) hatch, the crawlers can be treated with insecticide.

Scale insect on pin oak

Learn more about scale insects by visiting Ryan Lawn and Tree's informational library: Scale insects.