What's eating my acer palmatum 'atropurpureum'?

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is most commonly attacked by aphids, which colonise young purple shoot tips and coat foliage with honeydew and sooty mould. Scale insects encrust stems on older plants. Vine weevil grubs destroy roots in containers. Aphids are by far the most reported pest — treat early each spring with insecticidal soap.

Dense colonies on emerging purple shoot tips; honeydew runs down to lower leaves and supports black sooty mould Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil at bud break; use a strong water jet; attract ladybirds and lacewings to the garden

Brown or grey oval scales on bark and stems; steady sap loss weakens growth; honeydew encourages sooty mould Rub off with a damp cloth or soft brush; apply winter wash or horticultural oil during dormancy

White C-shaped grubs destroy roots in pots, causing sudden collapse; adults notch leaf margins at night Drench compost with pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; check and refresh compost when repotting