Lilac Bush Way Too Tall

Question

It has become mostly wood. Need it as a backdrop for a waterfall, so I don’t want to trim it to 8″ as suggested. It would be best at about 5′ tall. Will I lose it?

Answer 1

You can do something called rejuvination pruning. It can be done once in awhile without killing the shrub. This article has direction on how to do it at the bottom of the article:
http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/info_verte/lilas/types_taille.htm