bonnie99347
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:22 pm
Location: Washington State

My Lilac Tree looks like it is dying

:?: I need help, I moved in a house this past summer that has a big lilac tree and we can't tell if it is dying,dead(it had some blossoms) or just needs prunning back. If prunning is the answer how do I do that. I am new at this posting questions, so I hope I am doing it right. Please help

Newt
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1868
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Maryland zone 7

Hi Bonnie,

You did just fine with your first post! :) I would recommend that you make a new post instead of posting on someone else's if your problem isn't the same. I've done that for you.

Congratulations on your new home!! Since you probably don't know how your lilac was pruned before you moved in, it's difficult to say exactly what was done. For best bloom the spent flowers should be pruned within two weeks of the finish of bloom as they set their buds for next years flowers. Rejuvenating older shrubs is done by cutting 1/3 of the oldest trunks flush to the ground each year for 3 years. That way the plant isn't shocked. It can take 5 to 7 years for the new sprouts to bloom.

You may have to wait and see how it blooms this spring to know if the flower buds were removed. Here's how to prune and grow your lilac.
https://lilacs.freeservers.com//lilac_tips.html
https://www.gardenersnet.com/lilac/lilac02.htm
https://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1993/2-10-1993/lilac.html

If you have more questions don't hesitate to write.
Newt



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