something wrong with my juniper tree

kuskovo

I have this juniper tree for 1 1/2 years. It was doing great untill recently. About couple months ago I noticed that some branches of the tree started turning yellow. I took a close look at these branches and noticed that the foliage has tiny rounded white patches with some brown in the center. These patches can be easily removed without damaging leaves. There are no insects or web present. I don't think that it's spider mites.
I removed several most infected branches, but there still some left and I think the patches are continuing to spread. The tree still has several green uninfected branches and trunk looks alife. I took the tree to couple bonsai nurseries, they couldn't identify the problem, although one guy told me that there was a draining problem in the pot and he fixed it. So I don't know what is the problem: is it a root problem because of the poor draining or it's some kind of fungus. I'm not sure how to treat it: repot the tree or start spraying with chemicals or any other suggestions. Please help me.
I live in Southern California. Tree stays outside all the time and gets direct sunlight from about 4pm to 7pm. I watered it pretty frequently (which I think the main cause of the problem). I didn't repot it or prune it since I got it.
I'm sending the picture of some branches of the tree. Unfortunately the spots are too tiny to be seen in the picture

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TreeBay

Are the white patches cottony or tufty? If so it could be wooly aphid. The honeydew secreted by the aphid grows a cottonlike fungus.

Try to make sure the foliage has an opportunity to dry before the sun goes down, too.

Regards,

Matt

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kuskovo

The patches are not cottony or tufty. After I peel them off they look somelike dandruff. I was able to take a picture which shows couple patches on the leaves.

TreeBay

Ummm. Looks like some kind of scale perhaps.

There's a bit on scale in the ***PESTS_FAQ***. One of my favorites, in fact. Had fun with that one.

Regards,

Matt

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kuskovo

Yes, it's a juniper scale insect. I found the description and pictures on the web, which matches what I have on my tree.
Now when I know what is it exactly, I want to start treatment. For June-July most of the sites recommend Malathion. Is it safe for this kind of tree? Is it too late in the season to treat it with horticultural oil?