Lilac help

[joannemasone]

Hello everyone! I too have moved into a new home with some neglected shrubs and would like to know how to manage them.

Let's start with the lilac. It's beautiful, about 15' tall, mostly blooming at the top. Many branches that are crossing over one another, rubbing up against one another, etc. I've removed the dead stuff but there are so many of these scarred up branches that I'm afraid I'll ruin the whole thing if I remove them all. Also, it is encroaching on our walkway so it needs some larger branches removed. Any advice on how to go about this? Thanks for your help!! --J

[Newt]

Hi Joanne,

Congratulations on your new home!* There are ways to rejuvinate your lilac.* Here's how to prune them.
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortn...993/lilac.html
http://www.gardenersnet.com/lilac/lilac02.htm

Now on to the next shrubs you have questions about.* :)

Newt