My Lilac Bush is Half Dead?

Q: I have a mini Lilac bush that is half dead. There are parts of the bush that have leaves and small flowers. Is it safe to cut the dead part off? And any ideas what caused this?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks,
Shawn from DePere WI

A: Shawn,

Hopefully, you've figured out what the problem is, but in any event, it's okay to prune any dead or badly damaged branches from your lilac tree, especially if you suspect it might be the result of disease. To avoid any possible disease from spreading, go ahead and trim off any deadwood. If some of the branches just have brown tips, don't remove them until you see new growth starting to emerge elsewhere on the branch. And leave any branches with new or light green foliage alone.

If you're feeling brave, you can also try rejuvenating it by cutting the entire shrub down to within a few inches of the ground. If your lilac tree isn't too far gone, new shoots will emerge from the basal stems or roots. You can then thin out the weakest stems and let the strongest, more vigorous stems take over. This type of harsh pruning is best done in the dormant season before new growth begins.

Good luck!

Ellen