The decking's right up against that trunk. I think that's where your damage has come from. I think the soil could probably do with a lot of improving too. Was the patio broken up to allow roots to spread properly? It could be the opposite problem - it could be waterlogged.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It was unfortunately grown too close to the edge which may have caused the growth to spill forward. It's very difficult to advise what is best. I have seen more gnarly looking Lilacs, but it just means you have very leggy growth like what you have here. That's not a bad thing, but you do still need to manage the branches as heavy rain and wind will easily snap branches.
There is overlapping and rubbing of branches which means it's a chance for more breakages and entry wounds due to rubbing of branches. I have not grown Lilacs but have heard that pruning hard can create new growth, but it may not necessarily be in your garden but possibly in your neighbour's garden. If it was me, I would go bold and prune out the left branch, cutting downwards. Cut beyond the area where there is frass. I believe that is the branch with the issue. Then work backwards with the rest of your branches.
Thank you both - I think I’ll do as you both suggest - cut that left branch off as a start and see how much of the unhealthy bits come away and take it from there. I have builders starting in a month on the house and so I’ll ask them to take up those planks and break paving up around the base before relaying. I think they also put weed suppressant membrane down over paving under decking so maybe that clogging it too.
I really hope I can save it as I had everything built around it because the cats are loopy about it…thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge and advice!
Now that we know more about the site - I think the problem is largely all underneath that deck. If you can open that up and amend it, and prune well, it could be salvaged. However, without getting the soil and conditions down there sorted, you could have the same problem in future, so it's worth doing it right.
Or take it out and plant something else, but it still needs 'underground' sorted
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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I think the soil could probably do with a lot of improving too. Was the patio broken up to allow roots to spread properly? It could be the opposite problem - it could be waterlogged.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There is overlapping and rubbing of branches which means it's a chance for more breakages and entry wounds due to rubbing of branches. I have not grown Lilacs but have heard that pruning hard can create new growth, but it may not necessarily be in your garden but possibly in your neighbour's garden. If it was me, I would go bold and prune out the left branch, cutting downwards. Cut beyond the area where there is frass. I believe that is the branch with the issue. Then work backwards with the rest of your branches.
If you can open that up and amend it, and prune well, it could be salvaged. However, without getting the soil and conditions down there sorted, you could have the same problem in future, so it's worth doing it right.
Or take it out and plant something else, but it still needs 'underground' sorted
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...