Is it nessary to prune a lilac tree every year?Mine seems to be sparce

Kathy
by Kathy
  6 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 19, 2017

    What is your location? At what time of the year are you pruning the bush?

  • Teresa Teresa on Mar 19, 2017

    Lilac do not require pruning until they are about 6 feet tall, then they should be pruned after the flowers turn brown, if you wait until fall to prune them you will cut off next years flowers. if you are concerned that your bush is not dense enough the tips of branches can start being pruned when the shrubs are 3 years old to cause joint separation and increase branching.

  • Kathy Kathy on Mar 19, 2017

    I am in NL Canada. I haven't been pruning,that was my question.Do I prune after it blooms or before

    • Laura Kackman Laura Kackman on Mar 20, 2017

      Kathy, I am not familiar with the abbreviation NL. What does NL mean?

      Thanks, Laura 🙂🙂🙂


  • Kathy Kathy on Mar 19, 2017

    Thanks for answering

    • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 19, 2017

      all spring flowering shrubs are to be pruned after they are finished flowering for that season.

  • Kathy Kathy on Mar 21, 2017

    Newfoundland, Canada cool spring climate.In fact we have snow today and probably will occasionally until May and even early June.

  • MaryAnn B MaryAnn B on Mar 22, 2017

    I live in Vancouver WA which is zone 8. There is a large historical lilac garden here. I've gone on many trips over the years to visit. Their advice is keep it from going legging and getting too tall. Their advice: Prune 1/3 of the bush each year after blooming that way you will always have blooms every year. My thought is if all the blooms are on the top I can't appreciate the flowers, inhale the fragrance or cut to take in the house.