This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Lilac bush
Meomye
Posts: 949
I would like to reduce my Lilac by at least 3 feet in height but was wondering if it will be ok as I will be on the 'old wood'. Will it recover or should I only be cutting into new growth? thanks
0
Posts
Should send up new shoots, I'd do it asap so it can put on growth for next year
Mark56 is right: do it is soon as poss after flowering.
If it's a Syringa vulgaris (common Lilac), they're tough as nails and can tolerate pretty harsh pruning every year. Removing a couple of the oldest stems each year will encourage new vigouous growth.
While you're pruning, it's a good time to remove any dead wood to prevent disease in the future.