Please help identify small tree in my garden!

[Ukelele82]

I have a small tree (about 4 metres high) in my back garden. It's an ever green tree that has small white flowers that come out in autumn and stay out for winter.

The leaves are small and waxy.

I have noticed a section of the leaves have started to turn brown (as seen in the picture), so I am trying to find out what tree it is to try and provide help to it if needed.

I had closer look today and the underside of every leave is absolutely covered with what looks like tiny black insects or dots. Any ideas what these are and if they might be causing the tree to die off?? What can I do?

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 14, 2023 by Ukelele82

[openspaceman]

My guess would be japanese privet

[Stere]

Viburnum tinus

[nepia]

Another for V.tinus, an extremely resilient plant.  If you ever want to reduce the size of it don't be shy - hammer it

[Paul in the woods]

I also thought a Viburnum, possibly tinus although it doesn't look quite right for that to me.

 

Anyway, have you looked at the brown specs using a good magnifying glass and good light? A bit of as search suggests thrips as a possibility. 

 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/glasshouse-thrips

[daveatdave]

viburnum but don't know what verity. 

[Ukelele82]

Thanks for your help so far!

 

Is anyone able to advise how to deal with what looks like thrips?

[nepia]

Ignore them.  They won't do any long term harm.  In the warmer months you're likely to be visited by Viburnum Beetle, both the larvae and adults of which cause will far more visible damage but again the plant can deal with them

[Ukelele82]

Good to know! 

 

Any idea why just one branch is turning brown and dying off?

[nepia]

No.  It happens.  Really don't worry about the thing; they're very resilient as I've said.

 

I beheaded a pair of overgrown ones last year; the branches were up to 7 or 8ft long and going all over the place so I cut the trunk 3ft from the ground.  The regrowth is strong and much bushier