Over the past three years our enormous Little Leaf Linden has been losing its canopy. It is covered with what looks like moss and grey forms. I think it is scale. Does anyone have any idea how to deal with this. I am in British Columbia and the tree is, at the moment, dormant. I notice the Mountain Ash is also afflicted. Thank you Jenny
Scales are insects. Sounds like you are seeing moss and lichens. These will not be causing the decline.
Thank you both for your replies. I took a photo, still in camera, then went on line to check out lichen and mosses. I find it is indeed lichen.[ This tree is much loved and I would be grateful if you have any idea why it would look as if it is dying. We never use pesticides or herbicides but in 2003 there was a wildfire out of control one mile up our road, on a mountain. For two weeks helicopters flew over our house dribbling red fire retardant. I phoned and was told it consists of mostly fertilizer. It is, since then, that the tree has been in a gradual decline. It is now considerably pruned. Last year we dug holes around it and put in well rotted manure. A few years ago we did have sooty mold and aphids on it. Better I suppose a dead linden than no house. Thank you, Jenny.
