As arborists we try to preserve before removal. Everyone giving you advice here is either a dendrician or a certified arborist, and in 1 case, a board certified master arborist.
I don't know the exact name but by basic terms yes, they're small blue looking round bugs or snails looking things and all over the branches, some were white too.
all 4 different landscapers who was contacted for estimates and evaluation all said the same thing.
These 4 landscapers are not qualified to make the call.
Landscaper - Adorns or improves (a section of ground) by contouring and by planting flowers, shrubs, or trees.
It is imperative to identify the pest before recommending treatment.
Prescription before Diagnosis = malpractice
I would look for a more competent plantsman. Check into a certified pro. Certification means they, at least, took the time to pass an exam. A certified pro would have identified the target pest and determined if populations were above the threshold concerning plant health. With proper soil management, corrective pruning, root collar excavations, and monitoring, these trees
could bounce back in just a few years.
of course, if the wife say's they are too ugly then :greenchainsaw: