I Have An Old Lilac Bush That Was Never Trimmed. It Was About 20 Feet Tall. I Cut The Bush Down To About 10 Feet High. I Read That

Question

I should cut the bust to about one foot from the ground. Should I recut the bush down to a foot or keep it where it is now? I lov e this bush and I don’t want it to grow back in a bad way.

Answer 1

What you have done is, usually, appropriate. If the shrub is stubborn, and it does not come back, then it may be necessary to cut down to about 6 inches from the ground.

This is going to keep the shrub from flowering for about 3 years or so. It will help it to be more shapely and robust, however.

Here is an article for more information:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm