Question
we have a 75 yr old beautiful magnolia tree in our front yard that is sapping like crazy! it feels like its raining when you stand under it. we are almost sure it has magnolia scale but they dont look like they are alive. not crawling just white powdery looking things stuck to the branches. i was told that it is scale. What do we do? we do not want to lose this tree....help us please.

thank you.

LeeAnn and Dan in illinois

Answer
Sounds like a scale insect. i would treat the tree with an insecticide called Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control. This is applied around the tree to the soil and the roots will transport the product to the twigs , branches and leaves. And when the insect sucks the plant juice it will be killed. Check with your local nursery fro this product.
Here is a link to more information on this product.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Tree-Shrub-Insect-Control/concentrate.html