Suddenly found many leaves have been eaten leaving only spines. Have looked very carefully but cannot spot the culprits . Any advice/treatments please. Many tks FS
Yes, we do have a few articles that will help you out here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/skeletonized-plant-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
Could you please suggest how to save my lilac tree? I've looked for pests but there is no sign - just leaves curled up & brown.
If the area has been overly wet, or have been manually watered too frequently then this could be a severe fungal infection. It can be difficult to pin, exactly, what it is without seeing it but this is most common.
Fixing it will require a fungicide, and some soil preparation.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
I would also treat the soil around with about 1/2 a cup of DOLOMITIC LIME and a full tablespoon WETTABLE SULFUR.
This, cast evenly around the soil near the roots, will help clear out the infection in the soil, as well as condition the roots from the treatment.
This article will offer more information on the care of Lilac: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-care-growing-and-planting-lilac-bush-plants.htm
This article will offer information on getting one to flower, should these treatments not correct the flowering portion of the issue: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
Does soil need special amending? 714-523-1597 or Religionator@hotmail.com
Your photo did not come through. I will only be able to take a few guesses at what is going on.
This could be overwatering, fungal infection/bacterial blight, or could be deficiencies. Without seeing the exact placement of the damage, it would be very difficult to give you an answer.
You can have your soil tested by your local extension service, which you can find here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
This article will help you to know what is the correct care for the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-care-growing-and-planting-lilac-bush-plants.htm
15 foot tall with smaller shoots -- want to cut large wood out
It is best to cut them right after flowering. Just don't wait too late, when the new flowering buds are developing. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
I have a large Korean lilac bush, which I pruned some this summer. It had produced very few blooms and had become overgrown. About mid-October I noticed that the leaves were turning brown, curling up and falling off. By the end of October all the leaves are on the ground. It looks like leaf blight and I read that I should prune 6 inches below the infected branches. It is hard to tell where the infection is (maybe it's not leaf blight). Should I just remove the leaves and wait until spring to prune or do it now (late Oct)? Is there some other disease which would cause this?
It may be bacterial leaf blight. You can get a definitive diagnosis by contacting the cooperative extension office near you.
Since the leaves have dropped, be sure to remove them and discard in the trash. In the spring, if new shoots turn black and droop, prune the branch back several inches above the infected area.
Here is more information about blight management.
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/lilac-bacterial-blight
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
I have several lilac bushes on the north side of my house. They have not been trimmed since last year, and are about 10 -15 feet tall. They have lost all their leaves. Is it okay to trim them now, and how far down? I don't want to trim them all the way to the ground, as I am 90 and don't want to wait three years for a bloom. They did bloom some in the spring. They are white. Do they bloom only once a year, or all summer?
You need to wait to prune till next spring AFTER they bloom. Old fashioned lilacs form buds the previous summer before they bloom (referred to as old wood). So any pruning you do now will cut off the buds and your spring show.
If you look closely at your bush, you can see the buds.
Here is an article that tells you how and when to prune:
What are the issues stretching to zone 9 for lilacs. Would Ludwig Spaeth or the dwarf Korean be hardier with good scent ?
There are, actually, varieties that are well suited for this warm of a climate. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-lilac-growing.htm