Viburnum dying! Not sure what to do!

Tobykeane · October 2022

Viburnum bush is currently about 15 years old. over the last year its leaves and branches have been been shrivelling up and dying. It's been very happy up until now. have tried cutting out diseased wood but still seems to be spreading to rest of the plant. Any ideas please?

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Arthur1 · October 2022

I can't see anything in the photos, pest or disease. Have you looked for signs of honey fungus?

Topbird · October 2022

Sorry to say but I was going to ask the same question as @Arthur1. Viburnums are very susceptible to honey fungus.

It is possible that the shrub is responding to the prolonged drought / extremes of weather most of us have endured this year but it does look like the pattern of die-back associated with HF. Do you know if HF is present elsewhere in your or a neighbouring garden?

You could continue cutting out the dead branches (as you're doing) plus removing a circle of grass of about 1m diameter around the base of the plant and giving it a nice mulch and see what happens next year.

Topbird · October 2022

PS Honey fungus is a real pain. Not much to be done about it beyond removing as much diseased material as possible and planting more resistant species. I speak from experience....

Tobykeane · November 2023

Arthur1 said:

I can't see anything in the photos, pest or disease. Have you looked for signs of honey fungus?

I think it may well be. We do have honey fungus in the garden although have had no fruiting bodies at all this year which is strange with all the rain we have just had. Have seen honey fungus popping up all over town

Viburnum dying! Not sure what to do!

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