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Poorly viburnum

Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
in Problem solving
I think my viburnum may be dying,  two of the main stems started showing peeling bark after that snow and ice.  One stem has died the other has flowers but few leaves.  Any thoughts?






AB Still learning

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  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    It could be a response to last year's weather - extreme drought and heat followed by prolonged cold.

    However, I lost a viburnum bodnantense a few years ago - and I'm pretty sure that was down to honey fungus. They are particularly prone and I definitely have it in the garden😬 Do you know if that is likely to be a problem for you? If it is the stresses of last year could have weakened an already infected shrub.

    The initial symptoms were similar to yours - especially an initial one or two stems having weak growth and little foliage. Think there may have been a bit of peeling bark as well....

    @didyw lost a Viburnum Tinus a couple of years ago to honey fungus so she might remember better than me some of the early signs. 
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Hmm we lost an Osmanthus to Honey fungus last year, but it's quite a long way away. There's a viburnum Opulus next to this one so I hope it's not the dreaded HF.
    AB Still learning

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Me too @Allotment Boy 🤞 - it"s a real bu@@er when it's established in a garden.
    A year like last year will have caused a lot of problems for many plants and leave them very prone to attack from all sorts of things. 
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    If this is a form of V. carlesii, as it appears from the photo, then sad to say they are not very durable. It is something to do with the graft--they often fail in this way. I have had it happen in my garden twice now and definitely not thanks to honey fungus. 
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    It could be honey fungus.  The one I lost was on the other side of the fence from my neighbour who lost several lilac trees to it.  Mine looked as if just half of it was dying, like yours, but it turned out to be infected with the dreaded HF.  Dig down among the roots and if you see what looks like flakes of white paint, that will be it.  If you smell that, it will smell like mushrooms.  If it is HF you will have to ensure that you get all of the roots out and don't plant anything that is at all susceptible to HF there again.  Vibernum is very susceptible to it.  Also you will need to dispose of the tree and its roots properly.  My tree surgeon dug mine out and disposed of it - you can't put any of it in your compost bin.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Thanks,  I know what to do regarding HF, as I had to deal with it for the Osmanthus last year. As the plant looks so different I guess I  have just been hoping there is another reason.  At this rate all the main shrubs including our Acers are under threat. 😪
    AB Still learning

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Same here @Allotment Boy.
    In the parts of the garden where I'm certain there is HF I now try to only plant less susceptible shrubs.
    However, most of the garden was planted up before I realised HF was present so, each year, I keep fingers crossed and examine potential victims for the tell tale signs. Looks as though the rugosa roses in the front border might be under attack. Fortunately, it's a bit of a wild border and they've thrown out so many suckers and runners (which all look very healthy) that I'm leaving it all alone and just digging out dead bits when they've well and truly gone.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Well I  have taken off the front pice that was clearly dead , and I have had an exploratory dig at the roots near the base. I'm relieved to say I can't find any evidence of HF, so I  guess it's either down to the weather or age. The back stem has lost a lot of bark, but it's still green at the top. The whole plant has got rather straggly,  not sure what I will do about now.
    AB Still learning

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