Lilac disaster
r.gargett-gillens
Posts: 2
Hello all,
We've had a disaster this week with Grans's elderly lilac tree (40 years old - minimum!) One of the main trunks fell in the wind and although still attached to the base of the bush, with a small amount of manipulation it snapped off! We've salvaged as many cuttings as possible from this piece and disposed of the rotten limb. The problem is that the remaining base appears to be fairly soft and there's a lot of detrivores moved in. The tree itself is in full bloom and leaves look very healthy. However there are dark black areas in the middle section of the base and although the remaining boughs look and sound fine when tapped, I'm worried this loss of the central piece will weaken the entire tree! Anyone with any experience of this? Any advice appreciated!
Last edited: 20 May 2017 16:12:30
Posts
If it's as damaged as you describe, then, yes, it's in decline. However, it's a lilac, it may well sucker from the base and try to keep going. The thing with trees is, they don't mind what they look like. As long as there's life in them, they are alive, even without limbs here and there. I'd give it a good feed, treat it to a mulch of compost about 4 inches deep for three feet around it and allow it to soldier on.
H-C
Thanks for the advice! It's in the middle of a lawn so I'm contemplating digging a circle around it to try and get some goodness to the roots! Fingers crossed!