Been meaning to update.
So new leaves came out and hardened off. I tested a number of leaves and they all came out negative for the little buggers. HOWEVER, the leaves don’t look anything like a healthy beech leaves. I’m going to attribute this to an unhealthy tree to start and stress from the defoliation. I’m hoping a spring repot and a new start may improve this.


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I’m no expert on testing with my $9.00 microscope and inexperience. If after the spring emergence they’re still funky I may send off some leaves to the county extension service. It’s possible the condition may not be related and maybe something totally different.

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