Red scale, maybe?

Lobate lac scale?

http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/scales/lobate_lac.htm

Gosh, I hope not, carolb, but you may very well be right. :(

carolb I think you might be right. I went to the link you sent and it really sounds and looks like Lobate lac scale. It is only really affecting the twigs and smaller branches of the tree and not the larger branches or trunk. Does anyone know what I can use to combat this? I found another site that provides suggestions as long as it is not a fruit tree. Other than that the tree looks quite healthy.

Jo

AFAIK, the only thing available to you would be imidacloprid, which I wouldn't use, for many reasons. The only other successful treatment is by insect, but by non-native insects that only research stations have access to.

First get a definite diagnosis from your local county extension.

I had a scale that looked like that on my carambolas and spraying with hort/neem oil and sevin seems to have ceased the spread and new growth seems healthy.

Yes, if it's red scale that would do it, which is why you really need to find out which it is.

Do you have ants? They keep away scale predators. Also a strong stream of water goes along way to remove most of the scale.

I just smoosh & scrape the bugs off, then feed the plant/soil to strengthen it.

Or are there too many for that? I've had some good results w/ Organocide oil spray....