Lilac bush has grown wild

Shelly Crandall
by Shelly Crandall
My neighbors elm tree has grown into my lilac bush sort of bending the bush sideways, it is killing it on the one side where the tree is overtaking it.
  12 answers
  • Jill Thurow Jill Thurow on May 21, 2015
    If the tree is on your property you can legally trim or cut what is encroaching. Does neighbor realize? Have you talked to him/her?
  • Doreen Doreen on May 22, 2015
    What is the question? You simply have a statement.
  • Diana R Diana R on May 22, 2015
    You can cut back the bush to about 2 ft. off ground. It will then grow new shoots and new growth. I have done this. You will have to wait for flowers though. Like the previous person said, you can cut anything hanging into your property legally. Speak to your neighbor, let them know your concerns.
  • Cjzoldjunk Cjzoldjunk on May 22, 2015
    You can cut the neighbors tree back off your property, then pune back the lilac. Depending on where you live make sure the lilac gets plenty of water a heavy pruning will put it in shock. It may take up to 2 yrs before you see blooms again.
  • Dorothy Collett Dorothy Collett on May 22, 2015
    Is that elm a weed? your neighbor might like to have it gone: talk to them about removing it. My best luck with the lovelies is to dig them up by the roots or if too big cutting and then burning the stump. Anything else leaves a stump that will regrow bushier than ever in one to three years.
  • Shelly Crandall Shelly Crandall on May 22, 2015
    Will discuss with neighbor, no the elm is huge and beautiful and hangs way over into our yard and touches the lilac bush, hence pushing the bush to the side, she blooms beautifully on 3/4 of the bush, just not the part where the elm has stolen the sun. Would I have to transplant the bush because the neighbors elm is always going to be blocking the sun?
  • Shelly Crandall Shelly Crandall on May 22, 2015
    No its big tree will try and send pics
  • Shelly Crandall Shelly Crandall on May 22, 2015
    Some pics showing the crowding...
    • Cynlane55 Cynlane55 on Apr 12, 2016
      @Shelly Crandall Have your neighbor prune the Elm, so your lilac bush can get more light. Looks like to me the Elm is living off you taking care of the lilac, in Nevada if the neighbors trees intrude in your property you can cut it back.
  • Dorothy Collett Dorothy Collett on May 23, 2015
    Yes the elm will always be a problem for any blooming bush that close and under its drip line. Digging up that large of a lilac is a big job. I think I would try to trim it back and keep it short and start a new lilac some where else. If stunting the one by the elm does does not work out well after a few years then I would cut and burn it.
  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Dec 17, 2020

    Hi Shelly, you can prune them back. Here's a great article and video that will show you how  https://www.thespruce.com/pruning-lilacs-how-and-when-to-prune-lilacs-1403004

  • Deb K Deb K on Sep 07, 2021

    Hi Shelley, if it is over hanging on your property, you have the right to prune it.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 08, 2021

    Talk to your neighbour about the problem.