What's eating my fagus sylvatica 'purpurea'?

Copper/purple beech shares the same pest profile as the species. Woolly beech aphid is the most visually obvious problem, while beech scale and its associated bark disease are the most potentially lethal. Grey squirrels are a significant threat to young trees. Beech leaf disease nematode is an emerging serious concern in the UK and eastern US.

Dense white woolly colonies on leaf undersides; honeydew drips and sooty mould develops; premature leaf drop on heavily infested trees Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to leaf undersides; natural enemy populations (lacewings, parasitic wasps) often self-regulate; avoid nitrogen-heavy feeding

White cottony scale on bark followed by bark cankers; oozing lesions girdle branches; crown dieback in severe cases Prune out infected limbs; keep tree vigorous with mulch and consistent moisture; no chemical cure once Neonectria fungus is established in the bark

Bark stripped from upper scaffold branches in spring, exposing wood and girdling stems; particularly damaging on young purple beeches used as specimen trees Fit tree shelters or guards on young specimens; deter with physical barriers in gardens; professional squirrel management where repeat damage occurs