Expert: kathy crowley - 10/25/2009

Question
Ilive in the panhandle of FL and have a volunteer magnolia tree on which the leaves all seem to have tiny white specks on the underside and then slightly larger white specks on the top and down the stem to the trunk like tiny drops of white paint.  Kind of unsightly but will they harm this tree?  It is growing in the shade of very tall pines and oaks and is now 12' tall.  Should I be concerned?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Annette, It is typical for magnolia leaves to get scale and make them look awful.  I am using a product called Atomic Grow on mine and have not one bug on it anymore.  It is an organic product which cleans the leaves, makes the roots grow to make your plant stronger sending bugs some where else.  It is organic and sprayed on to as much of your tree that you can reach and the product does the rest.  The bugs suck the life out of the leaves and make the tree look ugly.  kathy