How do I prune a large lilac tree that blooms well?
Prune out the old and dead wood first. Then move to the older wood and prune out 1/3 of the whole bush. Then you will have blooms next year on the limbs and branches that were not trimmed this year. Blooms appear on old wood. Only trim off 1/3 of the old growth this year then next year trim to a easy to reach height next year. Always trim when the blooms have faded. Then in two years the lilac bush will bloom on all the branches the second trimming will be one year old limbs. It’s a good way to keep a lilac bush in-check without sacrificing all the blooms for one season.
