I would pick up some horticultural oil or a pre-mixed spray bottle of the same and use it: it is an excellent control for scale, and has very little effect on good insects in the environment. I use a product marketed under the Master Nursery name, but there are many that will work (Bionide, for example). Mine lists on the label that it can be used on fruit trees, vegetables, houseplants, and ornamentals "up to the day of harvest." Oh, yes, I should mention that the spray I use is odorless, as far as I can tell. You may have to apply it twice, at an interval of two weeks to get the scale insects completely under control, but I find that when their numbers are not huge one application in the winter is enough to get you through to the spring when the rain and humidity keep the insects in check. I used horticultural oil to spray three of my citrus trees just last week on a day when the temperatures were barely above freezing with no problems. The trees were outside for about 5 minutes each. Before you spray, make sure the trees have been nicely watered. Three more suggestions: 1) where the scales are thickest, just running your finger or a tooth-pick over them with just a bit of pressure will do a lot of damage to the larger scale insects, making the oil spray's task easier (you won't get the nymphs, which are much smaller and mobile, this way, so on its own rubbing out the adults won't get ride of the problem); 2) if it is really cold (below 40 degrees F) once you have sprayed them, bring them inside after a few minutes of dripping and let them drip dry on old newspaper spread on the floor--I do this on the unheated back porch which is nicely warmed by the sun; 3) make sure you spray the entire tree including the trunk and the underside of the leaves--I even spray the bark mulch in the containers, figuring some nymphs may be wandering around on it.

I never move my plants to full sun after a winter indoors. Some people slowly acclimate them to full sun over a period of weeks, but I find my plants actually do better in part sun (early morning best) with some shading in the afternoon. And I keep them there all summer. This keeps the potting soil from overheating and I think it minimizes the shock when bringing them indoors in the Fall as well. They still bloom and bear for me. Just my opinion.

I called a tree trimmer/cert arborist today. Murray's tree service-- in case any of you have used prior. He's supposed to come out on Thurs. to take a look and give me an estimate on trimming the oak. He said that it does indeed sound like the fungal problem that is going around Pinellas and Hillsborough currently. He said that professional growers have lost a lot of trees to it this year. It is an airborne fungus and highly contagious and will kill your tree and also spread to others. Definitely not good news. Today, I noticed my orange tree now has the same symptoms. He also recommended the copper fungicide as well, which I will definitely try (have not found any YET...at least at Lowes). But he said that it has not provided much to prevent the ultimate decline of the tree. I'm going to wait to see what he says further once he gets here on Thursday and will try the copper stuff. I'm not one to cut down a tree unless it is actually dead or close to it. While it is still bearing fruit and has leaves, it can stay in my yard. I am hoping for a miracle.... :(

Thanks for the comments ken_adrian and gardengal48! The Tree is in a half wine barrel container and is on my balcony where it receives about 3/5ths day's full sun. It's PH level is a good 6.5 - 7.0 and I have been monitoring it weekly. It's springtime here (Melbourne Aus) and so it's a nice 25 degrees Celcius every day and getting warmer by the week. The Tree appeared to go through winter very well, it had loads of new leaf growth and stacks of flowers pop up in early spring. It's potted with a mixture of high grade organic potting mix, as well as 20% cow manure. And is fed citrus tree 'pellets' (A sprinkle around the feeder roots) about once every 2 months. GardenGal48, I'm very encouraged by your assertion that it is not citrus canker! I hope its something that can be controlled :) I'll Give the rubbing alcohol a shot and post the results. I'm guessing the scale hate alcohol and drop off the tree to safety! Here's hoping. Thanks and if there are any other comments or suggestions I'd love to hear. Cheers, Glenn