Or maybe a graphic.
To prune, you can be extreme and cut most lilacs back to near the ground. Over several years they will send up new shoots, but in the meantime they are not attractive. I like to prune back about one third of older branches each stumplopping.clubg: Covington VA.
Apr 28, Whether your lilac is a shrub or a small tree, it will need to be regularly pruned in order to maintain a healthy shape and size.
And you get to enjoy their sweet perfume in your home.
To prune lilacs, get to work in the spring: cut fresh flowers for 75%(4). Jan 09, Cut back 1/3 of the older lilac canes or branches. The following year cut out the next 1/3 of the oldest branches then the final year cut back the last of the oldest branches. Doing this in 1/3’s will let you have blooms and still cut back the old worn out branches fully renovating the stumplopping.clubg: Covington VA.
