Read label precautions carefully. Gall insects are attacking many of our ornamentals. Best control would be to spray trees in May, June and July at 30-day intervals with an approved insecticide as malathion, diazinon or orthene. Once insects are inside galls there is little that can be done for their control. Pruning galls while they are green will help destroy developing insects.
Scales are a serious problem to our ornamentals.
Control of these pests should begin in April and continue through October. Begin applications in the spring with a summer-weight oil spray. The next step would be to use foliar sprays of cygon, diazinon, malathion, orthene , or sevin directed at the crawlers as needed. The last step would be a fall application of summer-weight oil. Once scales are under control, one or two preventive foliar sprays should be applied.