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White Prunicola Scale

Resources: Tree Problems

White Prunicola Scale | Image Credit: Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org

If you’ve been noticing white patches on your trees and shrubs it could be a case of White Prunicola Scale (Pseudaulacaspis prunicola). White Prunicola Scale is an armored scale, thought to have originated in China or Japan, that feeds on the fluids/sap in trees and shrubs. If left untreated this insect infestation can severely harm or even kill your tree.

White Prunicola Scale tends to first appear in small numbers then rapidly increase until you can easily spot the telltale white patches on the tree’s trunk and limbs. Since this insect feeds on the plants vital nutrients, your plant’s growth will be stunted and overall health will continue to decline.

Although White Prunicola Scale is easy to recognize it is often confused with White Peach Scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona), which we’ve discussed before. 

Susceptible Trees:

White Prunicola Scale is most commonly found on trees in the genus Prunus including Japanese flowering cherry and Cherry Laurel. This insect is also commonly found on Privet, Lilac, Euonymus, Willow, Red Twig Dogwood, and Catalpa. 

Symptoms & Signs Of White Prunicola Scale:

  • White coating on trucks and limbs
  • Yellowing of leaves
  • Premature leaf drop
  • Dieback
  • Cracked bark
scale covering female-eggs coming out from underneath | Photo Credit: Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org

Treatments For White Prunicola Scale:

White Prunicola Scale can be difficult to control; however, with a combination of overall health improvements and targeted scale treatments, our Arborists can help stop them from destroying your trees. Depending on the time of year and level of infestation, your Arborist may recommend a variety of treatments including the ones below. Just remember, it’s best to move fast when you see signs of infestation. 

PREVENTION: Scale, like most insects, is more likely to feed on stressed trees. Maintaining the health and vigor of your trees can help protect against scale infestation.  You can maintain the health of your tree through routine pruning, bio-stimulant applications, and seasonal sprays.

Pruning & Washing: If the population isn’t too high, our Certified Arborists may be able to remove White Prunicola Scale by washing the bark and pruning out the infestation. However, it’s likely that to gain proper control you tree will require the treatments below. 

Horticultural Oil: White Prunicola Scale can be prevented from taking hold by applying horticultural oil during the dormant season and early spring. This will control the insect in its early stages (nymphs). 

White Prunicola Treatment

    Insecticide: If caught during Spring or early Summer your Arborist may recommend using systemic insecticides to control the problem by targeting/feeding adults and nymphs. If caught later in the summer once symptoms are more visible the arborist may recommend using traditional bark spray insecticides.

    If you think your tree is showing signs of White Prunicola Scale or if your tree had this insect last year, we can help. Give us a call at 703-573-3029 or book online as soon as possible to schedule a consultation with one of our Certified Arborists. The sooner White Prunicola Scale is caught the easier it is to treat, so don’t delay!

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    Grey Burkhart
    Grey Burkhart
    March 29, 2022.
    Verified
    Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
    Dennis Bruns
    Dennis Bruns
    March 8, 2022.
    Verified
    We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
    Annette Iannucci
    Annette Iannucci
    February 23, 2022.
    Verified
    We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
    Susan Crawford
    Susan Crawford
    January 26, 2022.
    Verified
    RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
    Kenton Morgan
    Kenton Morgan
    January 20, 2022.
    Verified
    Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
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    Jean Kluttz
    January 3, 2022.
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    Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
    Jerry Haggin
    Jerry Haggin
    December 16, 2021.
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    Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
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    Mike Iger
    December 16, 2021.
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    David Roberts
    David Roberts
    December 15, 2021.
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    We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
    Travis Larson
    Travis Larson
    December 10, 2021.
    Verified
    RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
    Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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