What's eating my common witch hazel 'arnold promise'?

Common Witch Hazel 'Arnold Promise' is a fairly robust winter-flowering shrub, but it attracts aphids on spring growth and can suffer from witch hazel leaf gall aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis), which creates distinctive cone-shaped galls. Deer and rabbits browse young stems. Japanese weevils notch foliage in the eastern US.

Cone-shaped green galls protruding from upper leaf surface; leaves may yellow; largely cosmetic Tolerate where possible — plant remains healthy; insecticidal soap applied before galls form in spring; remove and destroy affected leaves

Sticky, curled new shoot tips in spring; clusters on undersides; sooty mould Water jet; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators

Young twigs and flower buds nipped off, particularly in late winter when other food is scarce Deer repellent spray; burlap wrap or wire cage for first few winters after planting