Question
I have a ficus that has overgrown its space and has scale(my assumption, since it has rough, sticky leaves). I would like to cut most of it back to make it easier to treat and to reshape it. Do I run a chance of killing it since it is already stressed with disease?

Answer
Deb,

The easiest way to get rid of scale is to go to your nearest garden center and pick up a bottle of Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed. You can also get it at Walmart for under $20.00 and you mix it with water according to the directions on the bottle and water your ficus with it. It is a Systemic insecticide and your ficus will take it up through the roots and it will kill the scale and protect the tree for a year from further infestations.

You can prune it but I would not prune off more than 1/3 of the tree at one time or it could put it in shock. In the fall you could prune off 1/3 more. If you have further questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene