Autumn Blaze Maple with Scale Insects: Do Not Buy, Plant in Fall

16-ft Autumn Blaze maple at nursery has white marshmallow-like growths on upper branches (likely scale insects). Owner called them “pimples.”

Advice

• Do not buy a tree with scale infestation.
• Do not plant now (summer heat). Plant deciduous trees in early spring (frost out, foliage partly unfurled) or fall (color change to ground freeze).

If Planted Now

• Hole 2–2.5× root ball, fill with moisture-retentive potting soil.
• Mulch 3 in (pine straw), not on trunk.
• Water 1 in every 3 days × 1 month, then every 4 days × 1 month, then weekly.
• No fertilizer first year.

Expect dieback; root establishment is priority.