Scaly Bugs On Maple

[Bayden Rank]

Help - My first post so if in wroong place perhaps a kindly soul could move it?

I was looking at a Japanese Maple which we have had in a pot on the terrace for some years now and noticed a large number of scaley looking objects. Knocking one off I noticed a patch of dust (like Talcum) where it had been. Can anyone suggest what these are please?

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[David Hare-Scott]

They are generally called scale, there are a number of types but they are all treated in the same way. There is an insect inside each. You can rub them off if the tree isn't too big, I suggest tying that first. There are sprays also most of which are (or incorporate) soluble oil.

David