How to Prune a Lilac Bush

Рет қаралды 649,663

Күн бұрын

University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator Marjorie Peronto demonstrates and discusses pruning techniques for your lilacs.

Пікірлер: 132

@tvcat3665 5 жыл бұрын

I followed this advice and pruned out the oldest canes in 2018, and as of May 2019 its flowering up nicely and closer to the ground instead of 10ft in the air. Very pleased with the outcome.

@elvypierce857 4 жыл бұрын

This was such a clear, comprehensive step by step explanation of how and when to prune Lilacs. I appreciate it as it is so very helpful.

@katherinegayl6422 10 жыл бұрын

Just watched a good dozen of videos on how to prune lilacs, and this is by far the most educational and complete of all. Easy to understand instructions, good explanation of reasons behind pruning, good visual examples. Looking forward to pruning my lilacs this spring!

@elaineselk6168 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@michaeldougfir9807 6 жыл бұрын

Katherine Gayl: Impressive presentation, wasn't it? I agree with everything Katherine said. And I with to add that I appreciate your selection of, and clarity about tools. Michael, Western Arborist.

@crazycracka1980 4 жыл бұрын

This is the most informative video I've watched thus far. I LOVE lilacs and grew up with an old unmaintained hedge and I was always to small to harvest the blooms that were only gracing the top. Now that I have an understanding of how to care for and properly manage them, I cannot wait to plant my own privacy hedge of these beauties. Thank you!

@eileenchang2173 3 жыл бұрын

I wish I had seen this video before I trimmed my lilac bush!

@TheMrjeffrozeck Жыл бұрын

Agreed❤

@MirExodus15 7 жыл бұрын

These instructions are very easy to understand! You're a good teacher.

@jkypragora 12 жыл бұрын

Your voice is easy to listen and clear as a bell. The information you give is easy to follow and very helpful. Thank you.

@jackblaylock3696 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Best, most clear directions I could find for cutting back my old neglected yet beloved lilac bush.

@tammyfry9250 3 жыл бұрын

Oh that was so helpful. We have 'our moms lilac bush' on the farm and has been neglected for a couple decades. Hoping to get it back in shape, and am glad to know that it will take a while. Thank you!!

@lindamorgan2678 3 жыл бұрын

EXCELLENT ! Best lilac pruning tutorial I have ever seen.. and I have seen LOTS. Now I know exactly what I can do now and immediately after flowering and again next spring. Thanks so much

@wholesome122 4 жыл бұрын

I have 6 massive lilacs that I inherited with my new home and I’ve been battling them every year. This video has been very helpful.

@charredskeleton 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us .

@afruitfulbranch 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! This is the best video I've seen so far on KZfaq on how to prune a neglected lilac. I like how you simply and clearly explain the steps and how the steps are also written on slides in the video. I hope you will post a video of what it looks like this spring. That would show us the effect of your pruning and what to expect. Thanks again!

@blaeberrybombus 9 жыл бұрын

very clear and complete information thank you, best I have seen so far!

@abrilikih7135 7 жыл бұрын

This is a very helpful video, and was the information I was looking for. This video addressed my situation exactly. Thank you for being clear and demonstrative!

@RKusmie64 7 жыл бұрын

Very interesting and informative video - exactly the information I needed and not too long to watch. Clear and concise, straight to the point.

@meganclouse2818 4 жыл бұрын

So very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Feeling much more confident now with my lilac.

@cathydillon2927 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks SO much for the close up of the buds!! That is exactly what I wanted to see.

@megankozenczak2103 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, by far the best on pruning these plant's ...looking forward to using this information on our Lilacs .

@DefiantMonkey 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you...this is very helpful. Now that it's been over 6 years, any chance you could share a picture or video of what the bush looks like now in full bloom?

@nicolefoster4276 5 жыл бұрын

So helpful! Thank you! I have 4 ginormous bushes (trees actually) in my yard, and this video makes it feel possible to get them under control and restore their beauty.

@fitztastico 3 жыл бұрын

Such a well done video. I and my mother thank you since I am pruning her lilac after it has finished blooming!

@peridot-20 Ай бұрын

Very informative video 😊 I brought a young Hungarian Lilac tree & as it's matured it's now 6ft level with the fencing & the same as your's in resemblance, once the flowers have finished I'll dead head them & then trim back lower than the fence, as mines thickening with leaves beautifully.

@khristopher2007 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Miss Peronto! Great video and very informative!

@josiebrown1 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the super clear info on lilac care! Others on youtube didn't come through with such clarity. I'll cross my fingers and sharpen my lopers today and tomorrow get to work.

@meredithfeisel 8 жыл бұрын

Finally, I have answers! Very well done. Thank you!!!!

@piedipo 6 жыл бұрын

Great video! Very informative, thank you. I feel ready to tackle the old lilac in my yard!

@irishsetter48 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Thank you so much for taking the time and your applied knowledge to create this helpful video.

@christineseton7687 8 жыл бұрын

I have lots of lilacs that have gotten way too tall, tomorrow, they will be brought under control,thanks to you !!

@regedmonds9099 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a clear and concise video! I plan on sharing this with my clients.

@bethreth5151 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks for such an informative video! It would be lovely to see the result of the pruning- that lilac in full bloom!

@pasta0328 6 жыл бұрын

This video was massively helpful - thank you!

@JAHolmesNY 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for the info! Very clear and well presented. Just moved into a house with 5 neglected lilac bushes (7 years of neglect I'm told!)

@krissyr2756 Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! By far the best educational video ever and appreciate the 2 ways to do it. Mine looks exactly like your demonstration one now trying to decide what to do with cutting all the way down or not. I might just start fresh and be done with it. Because it's always disappointment when they don't grow full.

@savannahcooper-hughes6816 7 жыл бұрын

Exactly what I needed, thank you!

@dansth 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, and one that will stay current forever! Thanks for sharing.

@thejacobean 11 жыл бұрын

This video is exceptionally clear and useful. Thank you!

@scotjohnson263 5 жыл бұрын

You are an excellent teacher (I took notes!). Thanks for sharing.

@becbett535 2 жыл бұрын

Super helpful, thanks for being clear and concise

@stateart 3 жыл бұрын

All of the Maine Extension videos are excellent/ Thanks

@pafrazier56 3 жыл бұрын

Very clear and understandable, thank you! I'll be ready as soon as the flowers fade this year!

@nooneleft2b 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Very helpful video.

@jj9homer 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the clear explanations and tips. I would have appreciated watching you do one of each recommended cuts/trims on the tree on the vidoe

@kirbyd0g 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice on pruning lilacs. TY!

@sarahdebreto7452 Ай бұрын

Thank you. This is what I wanted to know. I inherited an old and ugly GOLIATH lilac; it should hopefully thrive from the series of prunings I'm going to give it!

@Zoritsa 11 жыл бұрын

This video was exactly what I was looking for...thank you!

@edyoung7778 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Nice video explaining exactly what to do and how to do it!

@0EMONEYFLEX0 8 жыл бұрын

Very well-done and helpful!

@9digitgramma 11 жыл бұрын

Great description of how to prune/rejuvenate an older, neglected lilac.

@andrealparker 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation!

@christopherclattenburg2432 9 жыл бұрын

Great video and very helpful.

@andrenewcomb3708 3 жыл бұрын

When I was 8 we lived where there were flowers all about. Lilacs in our yard, rose garden next door, rhubarb and tube flowers across the street. Chestnut trees at an academy down the street. That was in Paris in 1961. We now live in a desert in the Americas.

@turbowhine360 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you. You've put together a very informative video.

@amberhainsey3152 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! This video was very helpful!

@steverMCMLIV 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Very helpful.

@cascadehopsrule 10 жыл бұрын

LOL, my uncle trimmed my grandma's lilac's the complete opposite way, I have been managing that for the last couple years. Today I took 3 massive toppings off the lilac tree. It was refreshing to be able to bring it back to a decent height while the sapplings have been growing around it the last couple years. Looks like I did basically what this women said. Good to know!

@silverhermes 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very helpful 😊

@belindanaugleradams4885 9 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@judithkennedy5105 6 жыл бұрын

Belin Great video!

@elizabethboudreau402 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video! Thanks!

@leahpillet85 3 жыл бұрын

So this was super helpful and informative! Thanks =)

@joefranks4235 3 жыл бұрын

The way I use to do it is once the blooms have faded, I would shape it during the later part of the summer. The lower part I would gather into a nice looking bush using strong twine or wire. The idea would be to shape it during the summer before the buds for next year would form. I've had success with this method. We've long since sold my parent's home and the lilac bush my mother planted almost 30 years ago is still growing strong. The problem with lilac bushes is that they tend to take up a lot of space once they start getting bigger, but I love the scent.

@kevin25831 8 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thank you.

@mlbdenver1 12 жыл бұрын

Great and informative video. Thanks!

@bradjanzen4973 8 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thankyou!

@monicacespedes4406 6 жыл бұрын

amazing explanation!thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@dlyuen4139 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Very helpful!

@katrinachernoff1584 6 жыл бұрын

Great demonstration

@TheUniversityofMaine 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the question. If the allergy is to lilac pollen, you should be able to remove the shrub when it is not in flower, however perhaps a better option is to hire someone else to remove the shrub. Cutting it off at the base will most likely not kill it - it will probably resprout from the crown, so you will need to have the entire root system dug up. Thank you again.

@lainahiller4146 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video.

@andrearothkimmich3128 3 жыл бұрын

e v e r y d e t a I l! thanks so very much - and what a difference for that lilac!

@hansthompson 8 жыл бұрын

big thanks from Alaska

@acsial 12 жыл бұрын

Great channel!

@edelinyo 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! very helpful video!

@alan30189 10 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Well explained.

@TheDude613 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome exactly the info I needed to tackle by snow beaten tree

@bonniepatterson-payne2197 4 жыл бұрын

Very practical. THX

@christineseton7687 8 жыл бұрын

Very informative!

@DJMovit 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this information

@UMaineExtension1 12 жыл бұрын

@acsial - Thanks for the feedback! Glad you find the videos useful.

@UMaineExtension1 12 жыл бұрын

@edenlinyo - You're very welcome! Glad to know you found it useful.

@UMaineExtension1 12 жыл бұрын

@mlbdenver1 - Good to hear! Thanks so much for the feedback.

@cchamillahotmailcom 9 жыл бұрын

Wonderful articles,thank you. Trudy in United Kingdom

@coelacanth9821 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent! Thank you. - this doesn't quite address my situation but i can adapt these guidelines to what i've got; which is 2 shrubs that i cannot seem to identify, though they look like some type of lilac, that are thick on top, bare on all sides and inside, and don't get that tall.

@cathydillon2927 5 жыл бұрын

I think the rules that University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator Marjorie Peronto, gave and demonstrated are actually pretty basic and similar to pruning any of your older bushes , trees, and shrubs. Following this advice should work for almost anything. Cutting out by 1/3. seems quite common advice, and the same for getting rid of dead wood altogether, and crossing branches. I also read that lilac sets the blooms for the following spring in about august, but it only blooms on the new shoots growing from a 2 or 3 year old branch. So that is tricky - trying to save the blooms. That's why you can be more agressive without loosing blooms if you prune immediately, or in the very early summer after it's bloomed. A large lilace that grows in my neighbor's yard must be about 15 feet tall, and the same height for one on the north side of my house. Nice, if it were only positioned near a window at that height. Good luck with your unknown!

@tarapath5099 4 жыл бұрын

THANKS! Awesome!

@doctube2020 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, for an informative knowledgeable approach to thinning and pruning a lilac bush. My lilac bushes have not been touched in over 10 years. I will probably cut 3 feet from the ground. Time to get started....

@djm1116 3 жыл бұрын

excellent explanation and demonstration; thank you; for subscribing what other topics do you cover?

@echosierran19 4 жыл бұрын

This is by far the best video on this topic. I feel confident tackling the neglected lilac that came with the house we just bought. One question though. What is meant by "side shoots" when she says to remove dropping branches to healthy side shoots?

@RichardGilbert2727 Жыл бұрын

@echosierran19 When she says that, the video shows stems running sideways along the ground and outward from near the base. Then they turn upward toward the light.

@suzanneharper6669 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that informative video. I have been neglectful of trimming my three bushes and have noticed that one in particular, a white bush, has mature branches that are bark splitting with what appears to be a grayish white mold or fungus climbing up the branch. I live in Rochester NY and would like to know if there is a way to clean that up and what to use for keeping the soil fertile. This white lilac has no crossing but the bark splitting is becoming more noticeable. Thoughts??Thank you

@LindaRae. 8 жыл бұрын

Sounds to me as if you need to cut those branches out, and quickly, before the fungus spreads to the remaining ones. If you can identify the disease, there may be products to use to eliminate the problem. Good luck.

@UMaineExtension1 12 жыл бұрын

@jkypragora - Thanks so much! Good to know the video's information is so accessible.

@jehugo66 3 жыл бұрын

We had a huge lilac hedge line probably a hundred years old lining our driveway of our old farmhouse on Martha’s Vineyard. We had days of fun running through the trail that was within, all about both white and purple tall lilac trees of about 12’. It was a fabulous jumble of wild flowers and it was exceedingly healthy, like a living organism, that has outlasted their original planters by decades. We did trim it along the driveway. It was beautiful.

@fishhead4872 7 жыл бұрын

Good job.

@lissaharpster7777 10 жыл бұрын

The video was very good. You said that it's important to keep your tools sharp. What is the best way to do that? Take them somewhere to pay for sharpening or what? Mine get dull so easily? Thank you in advance for your answer!

@jordan-ib1tl 2 жыл бұрын

nicely done

@stephencarmichael5156 4 жыл бұрын

Oh boy I bought a house with neglected lilacs that have 4" round wood and grew to 12 feet tall. It resembles a vine tree.

@sophiecolliema 6 жыл бұрын

I had a shrub which I kept cutting back every year, never flowered and hardly any leaves produed just scraggy branches. This is a 12 year old shrub. I had no idea what it was. It was below my plum tree which I had no choice but to lop as the tree covered 3 quarters of my garden. The shrub was Nothing, 1ft tall, bare and twiggy. This year it has bloomed! 2ft tall by 3ft wide! Beautiful lilac blossom and scented! That's just 1 year! The area is shaded a lot. Still shaded by the plum tree a little and only recieves direct morning sun for a couple of hours and shaded light through midday to evening. So your statement about regrowing in a few years? WRONG! I have before and after pictures to prove that!

@ElectricGlowSkull 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@UMaineExtension1 12 жыл бұрын

@katbyrd - Thanks very much for the feedback!

@alaysiakayebutler6299 Жыл бұрын

Ok, I'm in rural Oregon with older wildish lilac bushes in a field. It's the beginning of March, 2023 tomorrow. I take that I'll have to wait until the end of summer blooms, when they fade?

@cpayne1757 5 жыл бұрын

Ok, so you didn't mention this, but - do you put anything on the branches that are trimmed back to prevent insects, disease, etc.?? Just curious. Thanks! -

@tommyranger1 6 жыл бұрын

Is it okay to mulch around lilac bushes?

@brightonmusic 10 жыл бұрын

Excellent information! One question though. You mentioned removing "sucker" growing. How do you identify sucker growth vs new growth?

@iansprandel910 9 жыл бұрын

brightonmusic new growth is from old wood. Suckers come from the ground up and distract from the overall "clean" appearance.

@christineseton7687 8 жыл бұрын

Suckers come up from the ground ,not on the old wood, you can recognize them when you see them!

@mom2krb 12 жыл бұрын

It is June in Buffalo....can we prune back the lilacs and still have blooms for next year? We don't know much about the large lilacs that are at the side of our house.