Hi new to this forum, this is my first post. Could someone help me to identify some tiny blobs that are visible on the trunk of my Zelkova bonsai. They are an orangey colour and only about 1.5-2mm diameter. They are only on the trunk/branches and nothing on the leaves, there are patches of missing bark but I don't know whether this is normal for this tree or is there a pest present, tree otherwise looks healthy, please see my attached photo. Thanks

That is scale insects. Rub them off with your thumb. You could use a tooth brush if you are squeamish! Keep an eye on it as there may be more in a week or so. But do it now it is causing damage.

Bad scale infestation.
I Use insecticidal soap twice in a week and them scrap them off with a soft toothbrush. Even dead they remain stuck to the branches.

Guys... I’m blind af...
Could someone please draw a circle around one?

No joke... I see everywhere those orange dots which are natural part of the bark, but I don’t see a single scale insect on it.
OP will damage the tree if I’m right.

I still insist that is not natural on a Zelkova trunk. Horizontal lines dots yes, but those random dots look a lot like brown armoured scales to me.
I had a bad infestation on a Calliandra and it looked like that Zelkova.
I can be wrong, of course; I am not with the tree in front of me. But test: scracth one dot and see if it gets lose in your finger.

Clicio wrote: I still insist that is not natural on a Zelkova trunk. Horizontal lines dots yes, but those random dots look a lot like brown armoured scales to me.
I had a bad infestation on a Calliandra and it looked like that Zelkova.

The horizontal rows I know from big trees, but on their branches the spots are still random( if I know right).
The picture what you’ve attached really shows scales, but I still believe on the op’s picture don’t have any.
I dealt with scales also few times. I used to have a nice garden at the past...

But test: scracth one dot and see if it gets lose in your finger.[/attachment]

The natural dots could be loose also, but scale insects will be juicy inside.

So.. I aree with Felidae. I see no trace of scale here.

I also zoomed in a bit on the dots and these are normal patterns on zelkova.

OK, I am quite sure you lb and Felidae are right.
As I don't have a Zelkova but had a lot of scales, that was my frame of mind. Suggested by the title of the post also.
I wonder how brown scales look on a zelkova dotted trunk then...Should be confusing.

Thanks for the answers everyone, they do seem like they are part of the tree, but never having seen scale bugs before I wasn't sure. How about the patches of missing bark does anyone know if this is normal for this type of tree?