Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Too late to prune lilac tree?

linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
in Problem solving
Hi :).  We have inherited a lilac tree at our new property but due to the property being renovated, it's been a bit tricky to get there to prune it.  However, I can get to the garden without hindrance now and I'd like to trim it back to promote flowers next year.  I'm hoping that I haven't left it too late though?  (today's date: 21st of June).  I haven't had the pleasure of looking after a lilac tree before!  Many thanks in advance for any advice.  :)
«1

Posts

  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    *BUMP*  I'd like to know too.
    Southampton 
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I've never done anything to mine and it flowers every year :)
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @Buttercupdays; thank you for getting back to me.  I'm not familiar with lilac trees so when I saw the 'dead heads' of the spent flowers, I instantly thought that I'd need to take them off (I like deadheading!).  If yours flowers without doing anything then perhaps I'll put down the loppers?!  Thank you for your advice.  :)

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Deadheading isn't the same as pruning  :)
    They don't really need pruned unless they're outgrowing the space or are damaged in some way.
    Spent flowerheads can be removed at any time though, so you can take those off if you like. It won't affect flowering next year   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I don't know about the right time for flowering but we had some old lilacs that were very tall and leggy and ugly in our garden. I cleared out all the old wood and weak or crossed branches, then I lowered about a third of the growth to the height I wanted. Next year I reduced another third and finished it the third year. They are totally rejuvenated, now and flower well, too.
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @Fairygirl; many thanks for your advice :).  I used the incorrect terminology; you're right, I *did* mean the spent flowerheads, as opposed to pruning!  I'm going to our property in a couple of hours so I'll indeed remove the spent flowerheads.  Many thanks again.  :)

  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @Posy; thank you very much for your comment.  I've heard of what you mention; trimming back a third one year, another the second year and again the third year...I'm thinking by doing it that way, it means you're not overly stressing it, rather than going gung-ho in the same year?!  I'm glad to hear that your lilac has been rejuvenated successfully :).  Your help has been most welcome, thank you.  :)
  • nicholas218nicholas218 Posts: 24
    My Lilac was dwarfed by some huge conifers so was all lopsided as it grew outwards rath than upwards searching for some light. The conifers went about 4 years ago so its recovering well but quite slowly. I think it will take another too years of shaping to get it to where I want it. In my very limited experience if you are too aggressive then you end up killing the plant  
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    Limit your expectations for next year if you decide to prune.  I pruned one of mine last year, immediately once the flowers went over, and had zero blooms on it this year.
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @nicholas218; thanks for getting back to me.  I'm glad your lilac is recovering, albeit slowly.  I'm not overly experienced in the garden, certainly not with lilac trees, so I can understand the sentiment of not wanting to be too drastic when cutting back.  I definitely won't go too mad when it comes to mine.  Thank you.  :)
Sign In or Register to comment.