Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Preparing for pruning
• Method 2 of 2: Pruning Indian Lilacs
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Indian lilacs are shrubs or small trees that bloom with a lot of flowers in summer. They are characterized by the presence of a large number of trunks and their patchy, flaky bark. They prefer warmer temperatures and do well in the southern states. Pruning is very important for the formation of new flowers of Indian lilacs, but they show the best results with light natural pruning. The following steps will guide you to properly prune Indian lilacs.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preparing for pruning

1. 1 Collect your pruning tools. To prune mature lilacs, you will need several different types of pruning tools. Before starting, find the following accessories in your garage or hardware store:
   • Manual pruning shears, for cutting small and thin branches.
   • Pole pruner, it is used to cut thicker branches that are at a height.
   • A pruner on a pole that cuts even thicker branches.
   • Knot saw for the thickest parts to be trimmed.
2. 2 Wait for the right season to prune your Indian lilacs. Plan for pruning in late winter or early spring for better summer bloom. Pruning before the leaves appear on the branches will give you a better view of the branches you need to prune. You can remove flowers that have bloomed in the summer to allow another flower to bloom.
3. 3 Determine the shape and size of your future Indian lilac. To maintain the health and strength of your lilac, you will need to prune about half of the tree to make it easier for air to blow in. Don't overdo it when trimming near the ground. In addition to the previous recommendations, you can trim your lilacs to a shape and size that suits your yard design.
   • Indian lilacs can grow up to 30-40 centimeters in a season, so pruning will depend on the height you want. If you want a tree that is 2 meters high, then you will need to prune it to the 121-166 centimeters mark.
   • It should be borne in mind that several new shoots will grow from the cut area.

Method 2 of 2: Pruning Indian Lilacs

1. 1 First, trim the small shoots at the base of the tree. They are called "suckers". Leaving them uncut will give your tree a thick appearance. Suckers can be torn off while young, or cut with hand pruners. Leave the big, healthy, massive trunks to grow taller and stronger.
2. 2 Cut off the sides. Cut off any branches growing on the trunk at intervals. This is called delimbing and helps the tree maintain an attractive shape.
   • On young trees that are just starting to form, cut small branches starting from the ground, leaving only 3-5 of the strongest branches.
   • Remove small branches that grow horizontally or towards the inside of the tree.
3. 3 Cut off dead and crossed branches. You can use hand pruners for small, thin branches that are easy to reach, or a pole pruner for branches that are thicker than 12 mm. or a pruner on a pole, for thick, high-lying, branches. Cut off branches that grow at an angle or distort the shape you are trying to portray.
4. 4 Prune long or curved branches where they are no more than 1.25 centimeters in diameter. Too thin branches will bloom too. But they will not be able to hold the color, so they will sag and break.
   • If you are cutting branches near the trunk, cut them to the same level as the trunk, rather than leaving stumps.
   • Use a pole pruner for the lower branches or a pruner on a pole for branches that are out of reach.
   • There is no need to trim the seed pods. It will not affect flowering.

Tips

• Try other natural pruning methods before starting serious pruning if you have old Indian lilacs that are overgrown. You can create a canopy with pruned, low-growing branches.
• You don't need to trim too much to reduce length if you choose options that best suit your landscape and space.
• You can prune taller branches to create a canopy at a height if they obstruct the view from the window.
• Minimal natural circumcision is all that is usually needed.

Warnings

• Cut off any diseased or defective branches as soon as such a problem appears.
• Severe pruning, sometimes called "killing the crepe," can weaken the tree and lead to damage or disease. This creates ugly growths on the tree with thin, spindle-shaped branches that cannot support the weight of the bloom.

What do you need

• Manual secateurs
• Pole cutters
• Secateurs on poles