White growth on Dappled Willow Shrubs - Ask Extension
While doing spring cleanup and spring trimming, I discovered these white cottony growths on one of four Dappled Willow shrubs. These shrubs were plan...
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White growth on Dappled Willow Shrubs #894277
Asked March 12, 2025, 8:44 PM EDT
While doing spring cleanup and spring trimming, I discovered these white cottony growths on one of four Dappled Willow shrubs. These shrubs were planted September 2022.
They have started to show new green growth.
Should I be concerned about it spreading to the other shrubs and plants in the garden.
Queen Anne's County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
This is an Indian Wax Scale on the branches. The link provided gives more explanation and guidance on how to treat it. If you can reach most of them, you can pick them off and then use the scale guide to spray something like horticultural oil or insecticidal soap during the crawler stage to help reduce the population.
If there is a heavy infestation on the branches, you can prune those out.
Just monitor other shrubs to make sure it isn't spreading because it prefers a variety of plant material. If the other plants are healthy and not stressed, they should be ok.
Let us know if you need further guidance.
Emily
