Where viburnum leaf beetles are common, control is difficult. Unfortunately, viburnum trilobum is one of the most susceptible. Contact your County Extension Service for advice specific to your area. Organic sprays such soaps, neem oil, pyrethins can help.

I used to have a V. dentatum 'Blue Muffin' that was badly chewed by Viburnum beetles every year. After doing a bunch of reading, I ended up deciding that it wasn't worth trying to save and cut it down in early spring and burned the clippings before the eggs hatched.

OP, are your leaves curling under and your leaf veins, turning brown?? mine are and then they are skeletonized. i tried spraying with soap & water and its still happening. i don't think i have beetles, since i have been watching them like a hawk.. i think its something else, but im not sure what. any ideas?? if i lose both bushes this Spring, im done with them. planted, fall of '13.

7b zone (PA)

Not to belittle your problem, but even complete loss of foliage by a shrub or tree is rarely fatal. Not that I'd want to have to deal with a recurring problem of this type, but do bear in mind-plants usually have the ability to re-leaf.

+om

wtom,
i understand what u are saying but when they did re-leaf, i got about 5 leaves...
i really am trying this year to save them, but i can't keep doing this every year... i bought this for a screen to my neighbor's ugly fence and i really want these to fill out and grow tall...if i keep waiting, i feel like i am losing time to plant something else that won't have this problem. then in 3-5 years, i am stuck starting over with a 2 foot plant that will take 5-7 years to grow to the height i desire, hence a ten year wait .. i am not getting any younger, unfortunately !! :(

Sprt, if you think that your plant has been attacked by something else, I suggest that you take some pictures and start your own thread. We love good pictures.

Sara, it's going to take a little bit of work and observation to prevent these insects from doing their damage.

It might be a little late for you to search out the bare stems where eggs have been laid in order to clip them out. That's the best way to prevent an attack....other than removal of the plants, entirely.

If it's not too late and the eggs haven't hatched yet, be sure to get out there with the clippers. And inspect carefully for the small larvae, which look something like spotted caterpillars. Drop them into a little container of soapy water and feed them to the birds.

Here's a helpful Fact Sheet for you.