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Acer - brown/white blobs on trunk - do we need to take action?

Jane453Jane453 Posts: 7
in Problem solving
We have a 4-5 year old acer growing in a pot in our garden. We've noticed a lot of brown/white blobs appearing on the trunk of the tree- I'd be grateful for advice on what these are and whether we need to do anything about them.

Thanks.

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Remove them they're scale insects...quite a few cases all over the forum. If you search you should be able to find many others affected. Not a big issue, for the first time one of mine got it...
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree - the white waxy fluff at one end is a coating covering their eggs (which are about to hatch) and the tiny larvae will then climb all over the rest of the tree to find themselves permanent homes.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    You could scrape them off if there’s only a few, or spray/ paint with methylated spirit.  
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I had the same on my acer a few years ago.
    I used an old boot brush to shift them and they haven't returned since

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Jane453Jane453 Posts: 7
    Thanks for the advice, everyone - I've now brushed them off, and will keep an eye out for a recurrence!
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