Lilac Tree

[GardenFaery]

Lilac tree has fallen over (Doesn't LOOK like it's been cut from next door - as it looks uprooted in a jaggedy way as if the stump has rotten or the wind has pushed it over?
I was getting all ready to 'blame' - but I don't know how next door COULD have done anything - as it's broken off/uprooted at stump my side of the fence.
Glad it miss the bathroom window!
I'm not sure why - winds around here haven't been THAT strong, but the remaining stump does look very damp etc - could be all the wet weather?

I'm heartbroken as I look forward to cutting Lilacs as first cut flowers to bring inside every Summer? Is there any best way of dealing with a tree like this or should I just give up and cut branches up? At the moment I can't get out of my back gate because of it and can't afford a tree surgeon - will have to do it myself. Can I take cutting/graft or anything to grow another Lilac tree from it?

[Thelma Sanders]

that's a shame was it common lilac or a special variety?

I think if it was the common one it will grow again from what is left of the stump...mine suckers all over the bed, so I'm sure it would make a comeback

[rinabean]

I'm sorry to hear that! Unless you think they could/would have actually shoved it over themselves, it does seem like it happened on its own.

I'd cut it back neatly and hope for the best. My MIL's inherited lilac was destroyed in a storm, pretty much like what you're describing, she thought it was done for but it came back, I think from suckers. You can try growing from the cuttings - I'm sure I've got lilac to strike from trimmings I just shoved in the ground, but I expect that depends on the ground in question (and the lilac!). You can look for instructions to do it properly, I guess with a whole tree to take cuttings from you could hedge your bets and try every method you find Good luck!

[lukens]

I find it fairly impossible to stop mine growing. Cut it back and it grows again, shooters all over the place.

I also used a pruned stem as a support for another shrub, by pushing it into the ground. The things started sprouting.

I think some are grafted on different root stocks, so I guess you could try and see if you can spot a graft, and try and cut back above that.

They seem pretty tough old beasts, though.