How and when is the correct way and time to prune a lilac bush?

Answer 1

Hello, I prune my Lilacs after they have finished blooming and the blooms have withered,
So before the blooms have turned to seeds I cut them off.
Down to the best set of Two opposing leaves.
This gives the lilac a Chance to put out 2times the blooms next year.
Also add lime or fire place ash to the soil fall through the winter. Lilacs love it! I would prefer lime because I am sure of The content! But we do what we can afford, Especially considering the price of OIL!
So usually all pruning takes place before the 15th of JULY in Massachusetts!

Answer 2

In the fall prune back any overextended branches and take some off the top as well. This will promote new growth from the bottom in the spring. Prune so it has a nice rounded shape and remove any dead wood. Lilacs are suseptable to fungus and/or blight so I would use an oil spray in the winter or after the leaves have fallen and again in the spring. A very lovely tree.

Answer 3

Hello. I am emee's husband and I do garden landscape work for a living. There are many ways and times to prune a lilac depending on what you want to accomplish. If you are not concerned with next years blooms, any time and any type of pruning will suffice. Cut out at least 30% of the big woody branches (all the way to the ground) and all of the dead, and cut back to the size you want it. If you want blooms sooner, prune by late June or mid July and think long term; cut out big woody stuff and some of the lenghth, and do more next year. If you want a hedge, cut out big wood and cut back younger growth. If you want tree form cut out young growth and leave big tree-like growth.

Answer 4

Almost all plants can be pruned after blooms fall off or before blooms begin in the spring. Im pruning mine now and if you cut below the branched out limb and plant it deep and water till it roots you can have many more bushes I have transplanted seven more this year. If the leaves fall off and the branch looks dead it's just taking root under ground mine always die off looks dead and then out pops new leaves water everyday so they can root.
http://www.aboutlilacs.com/pruning_lilacs.shtml

Answer 5

Actually lilacs are very hardy,,, I would prune now so you can get desired shape, flowers are long dead, seriously, you cant harly kill a lilac once its established

Answer 6

Do it in late fall or very early in the spring.
I prefer late fall myself.
Cut the limbs clean at the base of the limb without damaging the trunk and you should be just fine.

Answer 7

every two seconds with a chainsaw