Do you know what scales look like and what kind of oil to use on them, this looks like lumps all over the bark

Answer 1

It sounds like scale. Get a horticultural oil or Neem oil if you want something natural. They usually have these available in good lawn and garden stores in both concentrates or ready-to-use spray bottles. These kill by suffocation--there is no poison so you have to make sure to spray them all. Once they are dead (3-4 days at most) they do not fall off--they stay stuck to the branches. They won't hurt anything by staying there but you won't know if new ones come. Make a "signal branch" by taking cotton or soft cloth and wipe off all the dead scale with a mild solution of lukewarm water and detergent. Pick a branch that is easily observed. As long as that branch stays "clean" you can assume the plant is still clean. But if new ones show up, spray the whole plant again because you can't tell if what's on the rest of the plant is dead or alive.

Answer 2

I had a lilac that suffered from lilac scale a few years ago. Someone told me to apply a little rubbing alcohol to the bark to kill the scale. Unfortunately, at the time it was too late for the shrub so I had to remove it. (if you remove your plant...make sure to burn it so the scale doesn't spread.) There are a few different types of scale...here are a couple sites about it. The 2nd link deals with scale on roses and what types of oils to use. I would think you could use any of the oils on just about any type of bark also.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05513.html
http://www.sarosesociety.org/Scale.html

Answer 3

Volick Oil

Answer 4

k