Outdoor Ficus benjamina Leaf Drop, White Powder on Bark: Root/Soil Stress, Likely Scale or Woolly Aphids—Nursery ID Needed

Symptoms

26-year-old, 20+ ft Ficus in San Diego: heavy leaf drop, white powdery spots on bark, splitting branches.

Generalized yellowing = root/soil stress (water, root damage, not infectious).
White powder = woolly aphids or scale — need nursery ID for correct insecticide.
Splitting: possible cold snap or sunscald.

Take sample to local nursery/greenhouse for pest ID. Check irrigation, drainage, recent cold events.

Plant Diseases: Ficus Decline After Repotting: Miracle-Gro Toxicity and Organic Recovery; Scale Insects on Ficus: Systemic Soil Drench Treatment; Diagnosing Leaf Drop in Ficus Trees; Ficus Tree Health: Sap Globules, Overpotting, and Light Needs; Ficus Leaf Drop: Reptile UV Light Insufficient; Large Ficus Tree Repotting: Not Needed, Consider Indoor-Only; Relocating a Mature Ficus benjamina to Florida: Feasibility and Gall Management; Ficus Fig Edibility: Microcarpa Fruit Test; Ficus Tree Leaf Drop: Diagnosing Light, Pot Size, and Water; Ficus Gall: Bacterial Growth with No Cure

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