"La Puce" wrote in message Scale Insect.

Sounds like it indeed. Richard, you should have seen the scale insects
last year and now the mould is living on the honeydew they extracts.
Check this for confirmation. I have a similar problem with an acer.
Every year without fail, if I don't get rid of the scale insects,
everything below that tree is later covered of sooty mould.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/scale.htm


Even after all the rain over the winter? i thought any exudate from the
insects would have washed off by now...

i'll take a look at the link... thanks for the pointers all!

Les