Hello Polly,

I’m sorry to hear about your yews (Taxus x media) and your weeping mulberry (Morus alba ‘Pendula’). Although both of these trees can be attacked by a scale insect, it is probably not the same pest. Insects and diseases attack trees and shrubs when the plants are under stress, usually water stress and this past summer, we have had periods of drought when supplemental water may have been needed by the plants. In stressful times, both plants could have been attacked by different scale.

It is difficult to see what is causing the damage to your mulberry and yews from the pictures. For a better diagnosis, you can send the pictures and/or a sample of the plants to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab for analysis. Go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ to learn how to submit pictures and samples.

You could also contact a certified arborist to advise you and save the second tree. Go to: www.treesaregood.org , the website of the International Society of Arboriculture to find an arborist in your area.

Good luck with your plants. Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.