Question
QUESTION: Hi Chad,

We have a 60 yr old 8'conifer hedge running along the property we recently purchased. A slowly spreading white powder, cotton ball in appearance, is in between most needles on stems covering 90% of it.  This year is very bad.  Parts of the hedge have started dying, not including the die off running through the center of hedge.  This has never been fed or properly pruned since we purchased property. Can this be a form of powdery mildew (which is effecting our lilacs). What do we do? Thanks, Kristen
ANSWER: Hi,Kristen          How r u? The problem u r having is they r infested with a insect called scale which is soft body n sucks the needles dry.they were there last year for there 2 b damage of the amount u said.It looks like white cotton or like paint on inside of needle.up by us the evergreens called yews/taxus get it all the time.If u think u can spray them yourself with a bottle or two go to the garden center and get a product labeled 4 scale read label n spray good n retreat in 2 weeks.I do think u should have a pesticide tech treat them since they will have a tank truck spray 30 2 50gals of insecticide and get it under control faster.then after they have it under control have them do a deep root feeding to help them put out new growth.From what it sounds like it should cost u about 85 to 120 a treatment x 2 and the feeding about 150$ U look 4 a tree company that deals with phc or ipm control and have a ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST  on staff and u will b fine.GOOD LUCK ,AND KEEP ME POSTED!!!!

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QUESTION: Hi Chad,

Thank you for your advice and I will seek professional help for our hedge.  I searched and found more info on what we have.  Our hedge is an Eastern Hemlock and we seem to have a large infestation of woolly abelgid.  This could prove quite bad as some of it is already dying off. Left untreated we could lose it all in 3 to 5 yrs. I read about treatment by experts in a form of injection to be the most beneficial and long lasting, and more costly, but still there are no guarantees.  I also read about introducing a natural predator to the abelgid: hemlock beetle? Are these really 5$ an insect? Are they available in CT? I saw the photos of scale VS Abelgid and it's definitely the abelgid.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted after the experts take a look.  Thanks again!  

Answer
Yes wooley adelgid have them spray them with hort oil 2% sun spray/or rockland oil.Make sure they soak them well and do both sides.If sprayed even infested they will come back.Do 2 sprays now 3 to 4 weeks apart and one in the fall to kill eggs  from hatchin next spring.Bartlett tree experts r in ct or the care of trees r 2 good companys up by u good luck!!!!!