Trimming unsightly leaves on lilacs

Question

Living in Montreal, Canada. (temp. varying around 7 to 14 degrees Centigrade) – My lilacs have unsightly leaves. Can I trim the entire branches holding the unsightly leaves as late as early November, or is it best to wait for spring? Also, can fertilizer be applied now?

Answer 1

Unless the leaves are caused by a disease issue that could spread, I would wait until spring for both pruning and fertilizing. The lilac is preparing to go into dormancy and both pruning and fertilizing this late in fall can cause it to reverse that. It then would be far more susceptible to cold weather in the coming months.