Insects killing Ficus tree????

[Todd M. Bolton]

Tony,

It definitely sounds like your plant has scale, which are insects.  
There are several non-toxic ways to kill them BUT you need to know what 
type of scale and when they are suceptible to the methods you choose.  
Both soaps and summer oils will work if you catch them when they are in 
the crawling stage.  When this occurs will depend on what kind they are 
and climatic conditions in your house or garden.  If you haven't pruned 
all the dead branches off yet take one, with scale on it, down to a good 
nursery or the local extension agent for help with an ID. Then follow 
their advice.