why did my lilac bushes have very few leaves this year?

Question

Last year, but mostly this year, my lilac bushes have only a few leaves. These bushes have to be about 8 years old.

Answer 1

The lack of leafing out can sometimes be attributed to weather, especially when it does not get cold enough in winter, which was the case for many places across the country this year. Some trees need an adequate cooling period during dormancy in order to produce healthy leaf buds.