Oh. I did not realize viburnum O suckered like this. Should I take it out and pot it ?

Is this a sucker. You can see how far from the mother plant.

Probably not a sucker but rather seed grown. Most cultivars of opulus are self fertile and do not require cross pollination for berry production. It's ease in spreading is what makes this an invasive species in a wide swath of the country.

It’s actually pretty close to the parent. Looks like a sucker to me.

It could also be a branch which hung low enough to root. They root easily if mulch is thrown around or autumn leaves pile up and branches are covered.

I have never see this species of viburnum sucker. Or produce new growth anywhere away from the woody base. Like no more than 1 or 2 inches at most.

Since its not attached to the main plant, a layered branch seems unlikely as well, unless the OP remembers severing it from its mother.

I will dig it out tomorrow. If it is a sucker or seed, I will put into a pot else pull it out.

"Since its not attached to the main plant, a layered branch seems unlikely as well, unless the OP remembers severing it from its mother."

A woody plant would not sprout like this as a first year seedling, so the top of this plantlet was likely removed when the maple was removed and it is now sprouting from the roots. It could have easily been a layered branch or seedling, both would resprout the same.

If this is the "snowball" form it would be unlikely to be a seedling since they're mostly sterile.

I have never seen the mother plant generate berries in winter. I have had this mother plant over 10 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx1Ce2lalaI

It is quite possible the top of plantlet got removed at least 2 years ago when the huge maple that was just behind mother plant got removed. The roots of the maple were reaching 20 feet, had to be removed as they were endangering the driveway on the right of the photo.

The mulch also looks fresh so maybe it was cut down when the mulching was done. Free plants are always nice to find.

Mulched during spring 22. Cut down during summer 21

"Viburnum opulus is a deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading habit; it often suckers to form a thicket of erect, grey stems that can grow up to 6 metres tall." (My italics) This source also mentions layering.Viburnum opulus - Useful Temperate Plants (theferns.info) The sucker or layer appears to be about 1 foot from the main growth.

Certainly my cranberry viburnum suckers some.

I dug it out, There were plenty micro roots, other than that nothing major was connecting to the mother plant. 2 snapshots attached showing the bottom of the sapling. I cannot tell this is from seed or sucker. The saplink is now in pot with lots of good soil.