I planted the shrub Fagus sylvatica (beech hedging variety) last year and
they got munched by what I believe was scale fly. The underside of the
leaves of the shrub were covered in small white eggs which ants were duly
having a feast on. The result was that the new green leaves lost all their
colour. I tried various sprays from the garden centre regularly but this
didn't seem to have the desired effect. Does anyone have a suggestion on
how I solve this problem.
Thanks
Gordon, Glasgow, Scotland

sounds like you have a wooly aphid problem. Since they are on the
undersides of the leaf, you have to make sure that the spray is
reaching them all or they will just repopulate. What "various sprays"
did you try? im not sure what chemicals are available in the U.K., but
malathion is the old standby for aphids, also anything with acephate in
it, or even oil sprays(read the label about temperature limits) will do
the job. You could even spray them off with a stream of water.