Declining Viburnum stems

[Serf Life]

Client called about their ~18yo viburnam that has 3 declining stems with stunted foliage, and two healthy ones. Those gall things are at the base of only one stem.

 

[Dan Cobb]

If it was mine, it never would have gotten tall enough to obscure a window. I just don't like having windows blocked by trees or shrubs. I think it makes a house look overgrown.

Sorry, but I have no knowledge on the plant health issue.

 

[Neill]

I might guess rabbits, rodents, or squirrels chewing the stems. Do they have bird feeders? Or mechanical damage from a mower or string trimmer. Secondary fungal infection (botryosphaeria maybe?) and a disruption in vascular flow leading to the stunted foliage. 18 years is a good run , time to replace ?

 

[Serf Life]

I might guess rabbits, rodents, or squirrels chewing the stems. Do they have bird feeders? Or mechanical damage from a mower or string trimmer. Secondary fungal infection (botryosphaeria maybe?) and a disruption in vascular flow leading to the stunted foliage. 18 years is a good run , time to replace ?

Only one stem has old mouse damage (below the odd growths). No bird feeders, no other mechanical damage, it’s in a garden bed with an established ground cover. The two healthy stems are not adjacent. I’d agree with time to replace, just stumped on the causal agent.