This type of scale can be found on a wide range of trees, including oaks, maples, lindens and birches. They attach themselves to the leaves and twigs of the trees and feed on plant nutrients.

Scale populations are normally kept in check by environmental factors and natural enemies such as parasites and predators. Many trees will have small numbers of scale each year; they need ...

In the case of the MacNab cypress, its odd appearance may help it resist wildfires. "They don’t even really have needles," says Safford. "They have sort of these little scales.