Oak Tree Infestation

Multiple residents have brought to our attention an oak tree infestation affecting many of the oak trees in our community. Please see the attached photo. If you have any trees that are infected, please take action to save it/them.

The infestation appears to be either the oak lecanium scale or kermes scale insect. The trees can be treated and saved. Treatment can be a spray (difficult if the tree is tall) or a systemic insecticide, which is absorbed by the tree and can provide longer-term control by targeting insects feeding on the sap. If one of my trees was infected, I'd treat it with the systemic insecticide. Examples are BioAdvanced Tree & Shrub Insect Killer Concentrate and Bonide Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control. Home Depot and Tractor Supply usually carry one or the other and often both.