By Bloomer
yorkshire,
United Kingdom 
Hope someone can identify this on my Alder tree ..We keep it to a manageable height,by pruning in winter in its dormancy,and it's been fine for the past 15 years..but this year,the leaves are so diseased,and have a 'lacy' look to them as well as having unsightly brown marks..I did find a tiny black caterpillar one day,or should I say,my OH found it in my hair ! apart from that,I haven't found anything else..I hope you can help,from the photo's please..
20 Jul, 2017
Answers
Thank you Landgirl..Is there anything I can do ,maybe not for this year,but to prevent for next year please? I don't like to use chemicals in my garden,if at all possible ,but if this would be the only solution,so be it ...
20 Jul, 2017
Hello again,L.girl..I have now googled Alder leaf Beetle,and looks like there isn't much you can do about it ..might try the Organic control ,and see how it works next year,as other suggestions don't appeal....Apparently,it was thought to be eradicated for a number of years,but reappeared in Manchester ,and spreading north west..according to Google ! It must have decided to try mine here in Yorkshire ! :o)
20 Jul, 2017
Oh dear thats exactly what happened to my viburnums last year Sandra, I was advised it would be the viburum beetle, guess they are related, sadly its happened again although not as bad on the one in the back garden, the beetles burrow into the ground over the winter, so a spray simply didn't work, I absolutely drenched my shrubs last autumn and winter making sure to soak the ground as well, first time in over thirty years with my shrubs that I'd ever had this problem...Whatever it is its definitely here in my part of Lincs and the result is horrible...
22 Jul, 2017
Oh dear,Sue...It's awful when you see all that damage,isn't it? I've seen some damage before,but it's mainly been towards the end of the season.when it starts to shed it's leaves,but didn't associate it with Beetles and caterpillars ...anyway,not a lot to be done,but will give it some thought as to what to try this Autumn and winter..I hope you manage to control your Viburnums..x
22 Jul, 2017
Still hanging on in there with two of them Sandra but the one in the front I'm afraid that one is going as soon as my council bin is empty again, its beyond saving I think...
26 Jul, 2017
Oh dear,that's sad,but I think it's the sensible thing to do..I am seriously giving it some thought at getting rid of my tree,if all else fails..I love it,as it breaks up my border,and is my 'unmarked'boundary line btween myself and my neighbour..By that,I mean her Gardener knows which part to tend for her,as she can't look after it any more at 87 years of age...
26 Jul, 2017
It worries me as I certainly don't want it to attack any of my other shrubs Sandra...
26 Jul, 2017
Previous question
« My Lavender ( in a Tub) has lost its Colour,is that normal?
Looks like you've got Alder leaf beetle. Both the caterpillars and the adult beetles cause damage to the leaves. It won't kill the tree.
20 Jul, 2017