What is attacking my tree?

Can anyone please help. I have discovered these lumps on my dwarf laburnum tree. They are hard and shell like and when pressed they either contain powder or gooey stuff? Size -between 4 and 6mm. Hope you can see the picture as I am new to this site!
Neil.

I have researched and found that it could be 'scale insects'
Has anyone come across this and if so how to get rid?

 

Hi Ace & Welcome to Gardeners Corner.

You're right, scale insects, been a good year for them this year.

Spraying with Provado is the only thing I know of.

 

I go along with Ziggy, scale insect.
Quite an infestation, a systemic insecticide should kill them.

 

I agree with said advice.

 

Are there any systemic insectides still available to amateur growers Pete?

Neem oil by all the accounts I've read seems to be quite effective against sap suckers. Not tried it yet but will be doing.

 

I'm not sure you are allowed to use neem oil Dave:D

Just googling and Provado seems to be the No1 favourite.

I guess we will be confined to this until it becomes totally useless.

I've got some Westland "plant rescue" stuff, but not sure on the exact chemical, I find they like to keep it a secret and put it in very small print these days, often very difficult to find on the label.