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Getting rid of a lilac in an awkward place.

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
in Problem solving
My lilac is starting to be a real problem.It is suckering all around and into next doors garden.
I have tried pulling out suckers as I see them but this year it is just getting too much.
The main problem is that the lilac is in an awkward place so very difficult to get to for digging out and the soil there is clay.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I could go about removing it?

“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Cut it down, and use stump killer would be my suggestion. Use that on any suckers too, until you've got rid of them all. 
    Probably need a few applications. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited August 2021
    Wondering if I used stump killer on the main part (there is no real trunk,just several stems) would it kill the suckers at the same time?
    Also would now be a good time to do it?
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think you may need to do the suckers too, but it would be a case of just checking them.
    I don't see why you can't do it now. Normally it's over winter to kill off stumps, but I can't see the harm in having a go, especially if you might need to do it a few times. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I have made a start by cutting off all the top growth of the Lilac,will cut the stems a bit shorter so that I have some sort of stump for the stump killer to work on.
    My garden bin is now full!
    Any other suggestions etc would be welcome.
    Has anyone else used stump killer for a Lilac and if so was it a success or not?

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    edited August 2021
    I had a lilac tree very similar in size, maybe a bit bigger. The tree surgeon (who was here for other matters) cut it down to a few stumps and then hammered in a few plugs the size of large rawlplugs which are supposed to release chemicals taken down into the roots. 

    The next spring the tree was sprouting again quite vigorously, these plugs having no obvious impact. The tree surgeon cane back, a fit young whippersnapper, and in under two hours had dug out the bulk of the rootball.

    Knowing lilac’s predilection for sending up suckers with abandon, I set to work systematically digging out all remaining roots thicker than a pencil. It was slow but not too onerous because the roots were quite shallow and now the thing has completely gone. Unlike you, I had the luxury of working in the middle of an island bed where no other plants needed to be protected.
    Rutland, England
  • shazza 3shazza 3 Posts: 197
    It's a shame that you are so far away from me or I'd have taken it off you. I love lilac and would have found somewhere for it. It's a shame that you have to kill it off  :'(
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's how it is though. If you don't want something, or it's outlived it's usefulness, better to replace it with something you do want.  :)
    I'm afraid I'm not very sentimental about plants, unless they have some specific meaning for me. 99% of them don't. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    I have used SBK stump killer diluted 50/50 with water to kill very similar shrubs with several stems.
    I cut the stems down to around six inches or less and while the cuts are still fresh paint the solution onto the cut surface and all the exposed bark. Do wear gloves and avoid catching any other plants or the soil. Dab the brush onto any visible suckers. I have found this method works really well. I do it at any time of the year, but spring can be unsuitable if it's something that weeps a lot of sap. You won't need a lot of solution.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    shazza 3 said:
    It's a shame that you are so far away from me or I'd have taken it off you. I love lilac and would have found somewhere for it. It's a shame that you have to kill it off  :'(
    I doubt it would have been viable to get it up in one piece suitable for replanting!!
    I also love Lilac but it really is getting to be a problem now,suckering along a whole bed and into next doors garden.I am not too unhappy about it going as it was never a particularly pretty specimen!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They can be lovely when young and in flower, but they're pretty uninspiring the rest of the year unless they have climbers on them. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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