it will not kill it.. but it will ruin it ...

google: rejuvenation pruning of shrubs

and start a proper renovation ...

the problem with pruning at height/distance .. is that 3 to 5 new sprouts will burst.. and as those grow.. it will collapse the whole branch ... and then you will have a bigger mess .. than you started with ..

this is a 'run it over with the truck' plant ... you wont kill it, even doing that .. but you should still do it the right way ...

ken

I'd advise you to cut the viburnum to 6 inches or less. This should be done in the late winter or very early spring. You need to know that the older the plant is, the harder it is for the plant to recover. 40 years is getting up there. It's worth a try, though. Rejuvenation pruning can be very successful.

rhizo-thanx for advice. I had thought of doing it this fall, but now will wait for early spring. My go to person for advice here died. She was the only old timer left here to go to. I guess I'm it now .ha She gave me this viburnum. It was a seedling then and I always thought it was better than the original, so hate to loose it altogether. I have a japanese snoball in the same shape and it will get a haircut too.

neither of us suggested a 'haircut' .. clipping the ends ....

i said near the ground.. she said 6 inches ...

ken