Quaking Aspen bark bumps

[cellis41]

Can anyone reinsure me that this is trying to backbud and isn't a disease?

 

[Scorpius]

Those look like scale insects. They suck the juices from the tree weakening it.

 

[cellis41]

They are definitely not alive on the exterior anyways

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Oyster shell scale.
Cool looking bug.

Scale is very low in moisture and when crushing them they leave just a tiny bit of liquid. That makes them hard to distinguish from dead ones.
The armor also protects them from most contact insecticides. So I'd brush them off with a semi hard brush and then neem oil the tree.
If they return, go with a systemic insecticide.

 

[cellis41]

Oyster shell scale.
Cool looking bug.

Scale is very low in moisture and when crushing them they leave just a tiny bit of liquid. That makes them hard to distinguish from dead ones.
The armor also protects them from most contact insecticides. So I'd brush them off with a semi hard brush and then neem oil the tree.
If they return, go with a systemic insecticide.

Thanks i appreciate it!