Owen Tree Services - Resources
Lecanium Scale
DESCRIPTION OF LECANIUM SCALE
Several species of soft scales, referred to as Lecanium scales, feed on the sap of shade trees and shrubs. This rounded insect is brown and can range from 1/8 inch to 1/6 inch in size. In many cases it is the signs of the scale infestation that is noticed before the scale itself is detected. Lecanium scale will produce large volumes of a liquid waste called honeydew. The honeydew gives leaves a shiny appearance and will often attract honeybees and wasps. A black fungus called sooty mold will also grow on the honeydew.
LIFE CYCLE OF LECANIUM SCALE
Lecanium scale overwinters as a nymph on plant twigs. The insect matures in the spring and females lay eggs in May and June. Each female scale insect is capable of laying 1,000 to 5000 eggs. Egg hatch usually occurs in May or June. The newly hatched scale insects, called crawlers, migrate to the leaves where they feed throughout the summer. In late summer they move back to the twigs where they spend the winter under a thin, waxy shield. There is one generation per year.
HOW TO CONTROL LECANIUM SCALE
Controlling Lecanium scale insects can be challenging and treatments may need to be repeated over several growing seasons. Proper timing is essential to controlling scale insects. Tree spraying will achieve maximum impact if the treatments are applied in June or July. Dormant oil treatments can be applied in late fall and early spring for overwintering nymphs.
Systemic insecticide treatments with Imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control) can be applied as a soil drench around the base of affected plants. This can be applied anytime during the growing season provided there is adequate soil moisture to allow the plant to absorb and translocate the material.
Proper cultural practices are necessary to reduce plant stress. Scale insects thrive on stressed plants. Fertilization and watering will increase plant health and vigor. Creating or enlarging mulch beds will reduce root competition with adjacent lawn areas.
Photo: James Solomon, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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What Our Customers Are Saying
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Gayle Rickert
Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism
Trish did an exceptional job of assessing the tree removal, trimming, diseased/dead trees, and brush removal on our property. She explained the processes clearly and in detail. Trish is an extremely knowledgeable arborist. I highly recommend her to give a comprehensive review & estimate of your landscape needs.
Dean Hartman - Berrien County Drain Commission
Owen Tree Service provided a great value and service to our community. They helped us complete a difficult task of approximately 50 miles of needed treatment almost seamlessly. They were very easy to work with, followed and complimented our directive well. The owners along the areas that were serviced, passed on very nice regards for their team. We were very impressed with Owen Tree Service (as well as the community) and look forward to using their services again this coming year and beyond.
Rick Stomps
Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Owen Tree Service did an outstanding job. The crew trimmed up the treeline and removed several. Did a great job of cleanup too. Extremely professional, informative, helpful & friendly. Thanks so much to the great crew - Ron, Skip, Tim & Doug ... you were incredible. Thanks so much. I'll tell folks about you! (BTW - the guys deserve a few extra $$)
Linda Janiszewski
Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
We are very happy with the work they did. We had a large birch tree trimmed that had power lines on each side. There were 4 workers and they worked well together as a team to get the job done. They cleaned up the yard around the tree and did a professional job. They also asked us if we liked it before they left. We would highly recommend Owen Tree Service!
Tonia Burns
Responsiveness, Professionalism
Called about having a 17ft tree placed in our yard. Received a call back from Trish you was incredibly gracious with her time and information. Unfortunately, trees that are over 6ft can't be planted by them. However, Trish gave me more than enough info to be confident about having a tree of that sized planted. I'd definitely call and use them for any other future services.