By Arbuthnot
Buckinghamshire,
United Kingdom 
My Viburnum has had, for the past few years, suckers growing at the base. We (the royal we!) have chopped them off. Today I was wandering round with the weed killer. It was a great temptation to spray the suckers. I resisted because I thought I’d kill the bush. Was I right?
21 May, 2025
Answers
the suckers will send the weedkiller to the main roots so yes will damage the 'parent' tree.
our lilac is suffering as he who will not be named sprayed lilac suckers last year. grrrr
22 May, 2025
Thank you for the replies (and Seaburn’s tongue in cheek remark!). I shall just have to tell the arthritis to have a day off so that I can get down to earth. So to speak.
Thanks again.
24 May, 2025
Previous question
« Another mystery ... please could someone tell me what this is? Thank you!
Hi Arbuthnot, we have a very big and old viburnum out front as part of our L shaped hedge.
We have suckers, I tend to pull them out or chop right down. I think there's a chance you could kill it if you used weedkiller.
The suckers are very frustrating, but I keep on top of them.
Someone else may have a different experience.
21 May, 2025