Shrubs - Viburnum
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  (May) I have a Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum) tree which is usually in full bloom this time of year, however this spring there are very few flowers because squirrels ate the buds! Is there a way I can prevent this next year -- it has never happened before in the almost twenty years we've had the tree.

  Were your viburnums loaded with berries last fall? I think a similar problem occurred with some dogwoods. They had a ton of berries, and the squirrels may have harvested both accidentally, while they were harvesting the berries in the fall. Since there are less flowers this year, therefore, there will be less berries, and hopefully you won't have a problem again. When squirrels become a nuisance, controlling them is a hit and miss/ trial and error experiment.

  When should I prune my Double File Viburnum? This bush also has grown bigger than I expected, so I really need to take out some of the bulk.

  Lastly, the doublefile viburnum is also a spring bloomer. Wait until after bloom and prune as needed. Remember, these plants have the potential for large growth, so I hope you have it planted where there is room to grow.

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