On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 12:56:01 GMT, peter123 wrote:

I am having a great deal of difficulty in tracking down a problem with
my Bay Tree.

We originally had two Bay Trees, the first one died last year with this
problem and now it's spread to the other one.

These are the symptoms:

a. Sticky Leaves
b. Leaves go from normal green, to a light green and finally to a dried
up golden brown and fall off.
c. Occassionally the leaves go black at the tips

I have inspected all the leaves and there is no signs of any insects
big or small.

There is also no sign of any "soot".

Look at the underside of the leaves near the mid-rib. Are there
thin, pale yellowy-browny deposits there that look something like
wax? If so, you have "soft brown scale." It's a bitch to get rid
of, but if you don't mind using pettochemical-based insecticides,
malathion will do a splendid job. Spray *thoroughly*, leave it
for about 15 minutes, then wash it off with spray from a hose.

Do NOT try to use malathion in the house. You must do this
outside.

I'm also assuming that the stuff is still on the market.

Alternatively, methodically scrub the scale insects off using a
soft toothbrush and soapy water. Soap, not detergent.

No matter what method you use to get rid of scale, stay alert for
reinfestations; it's a very difficult pest to eradicate
completely and is sufficiently ubiquitous in the environment that
clean plants can easily become reinfested.

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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