Beech shedding their leaves

[Klytus]

Is there some old Bonsai wives tale about what must be done before,during or after the annual leaf shedding of Beech?

I would like to think so.

 

[rockm]

Don't know what you're talking about. Leaves should drop by themselves--if the tree held onto them over winter. New leaves push the old ones off. I wouldn't be pulling the old ones off, as there are new buds at their bases, you could remove those along with the old leaves if you're not careful