I could use some advice please.... **pics added

[canadianplant]

I have a very, very old lilac tree in my parents yard. Besides the fact it has not been trimmed in 20 years, it has been tied up for the same amount of time, with twine rope and thick electrical wire ( yes, the kind used to wire your house). It has effectively been pretty much collering the tree (choking it to death). I want to untie it, and properly trim it, seeing as the thing is over 100 years old.

The problem lies in the fact that I cannot find any literature, or anyone I know that knows exactly how to do this. Should I just untie it and leave it to its own devices (this goes against my gut), or should untie it, only after wrapping it half as tight, to slowly let it get used to its own shape? Am I going to have to cut my loses and cut the poor thing down by half?

It does not seem to be struggling, but there is no mistaking the effect of the wire on the trunks, and now the rope as well. I know in short time, the tree will show stress, and by then I am sure it will be too late to save the old growth at the top.

Any suggestions would be welcomed. I know some one here has experience with these things, they are everywhere!

[DesertZone]

Cut the wire/rope off the plant. It will only do more harm if you leave it on.

[sidpook]

Every five years or so I chop my lilacs to waist high just to keep them full and bushy. Depends on your personal preference. But remember that if you do chop it down it will take several years to flower again. Best time to trim is right after they are done blooming. Always trim off the spent blooms so they do not go to seed. Be careful though, the next years flower bud comes in immediately, Don't cut that off! Enjoy! good luck.

[DesertZone]

seeing as the thing is over 100 years old.

Make sure your clippers are cleaned and dipped it a bleach solution, before cutting on a plant this old (or any plant). Also very old wood may not bring new sprouts if cut.
Do they have a "Master Gardner" program in Canada? They are very good at trouble shooting bushes and trees. And I dont have my MG book of woodies here at my home. could you post a pic.

[canadianplant]

AAron - I have to cut it off for sure. The question is: Do I do it and let it do its thing, or do it over 2 seasons, so I dont snap off any branches.

Mike - To be honest, I wouldnt have planted a lilac, but the tree was here before the house was even built (we got ahold of the son of the original builder and owner. The house was built in 1904, so the tree is well over 100 years old, about 15 feet or more, and has the nice twisting trunks that are so desired among lilac. If I revive prune it at this point, I can only prune to help it, other wise I would totally ruin the shape.

Pruning this one wont be to hard. It has a nice open habit. Im just worried that if I untie the trunks and just leave them be, Ill snap em off, due to the fact the tree isnt used to holding that form, and even the spread out weight.

What I was thinking of doing, is tying a looser, less damaging rope around it, and slowly, over the summer (maybe even unto next spring), let it relax back into natural form.

[canadianplant]

AAron - I have to cut it off for sure. The question is: Do I do it and let it do its thing, or do it over 2 seasons, so I dont snap off any branches.

Mike - To be honest, I wouldnt have planted a lilac, but the tree was here before the house was even built (we got ahold of the son of the original builder and owner. The house was built in 1904, so the tree is well over 100 years old, about 15 feet or more, and has the nice twisting trunks that are so desired among lilac. If I revive prune it at this point, I can only prune to help it, other wise I would totally ruin the shape.

Pruning this one wont be to hard. It has a nice open habit. Im just worried that if I untie the trunks and just leave them be, Ill snap em off, due to the fact the tree isnt used to holding that form, and even the spread out weight.

What I was thinking of doing, is tying a looser, less damaging rope around it, and slowly, over the summer (maybe even unto next spring), let it relax back into natural form.

Here is the only pic I have ATM. I can post more when it warms up a bit. Its in the background:

[igor.glukhovtsev]

Jeese, would be very helpful taking a couple of more shots before leafs will be appearing. I might make some suggestions for pruning though.

[canadianplant]

Jeese, would be very helpful taking a couple of more shots before leafs will be appearing. I might make some suggestions for pruning though.

I can post some better ones tomorrow.

As for pruning, remember, the tree is tied together so i looks more upright then it will be untied. That is the main reason why I have not pruned it, I wont be able to assess it right, without untying it.

[canadianplant]

Here are some pics....

[igor.glukhovtsev]

I've got it, Jeese. Are you Ok waiting until Saturday as the latest (I hope)?

[canadianplant]

Oh yeah, I cant do a thing till it warms up. Thats a good month LOL

[DesertZone]

AAron - I have to cut it off for sure. The question is: Do I do it and let it do its thing, or do it over 2 seasons, so I dont snap off any branches.

Going to be your call. But I would get all the chocking wires off the plant before late winter/spring, that is when that bush will start pumping water through the branches.

If you remove the wire will the branches snap? Can you tape the branches together and than remove the wire, duct tape will rot off if you don't over wrap it, if you forget to take it off later?

[igor.glukhovtsev]

Aaron, thanks man for reminding the Thunder Bay lilac tree problem...
Jeese, here is a picture of your Lilac tree after virtual pruning. Don't worry about cutting wire and etc.

[canadianplant]

Aaron - That is exactly what im worried about, that I untie it, and it falls open, and I snap a few old branches. Im going to unwrap it really soon. If this weather holds for another week or 2, Im going to get it done. Thanks dude!

Igor - So your suggesting I get rid of all the new growth from the ground (suckers), and the newer wood from the bottom ( on the old trunks)? Funnier, you eliminated the furthest branch in the background, which is the branch that I am more then likely going to have to get rid of (its touching the power lines).

Thats quite the prune..... Im going to have to do that over 2 seasons for sure. I appreciate the help guys. Ill let you know how it goes in a few weeks!

[igor.glukhovtsev]

Thats quite the prune..... Im going to have to do that over 2 seasons for sure.

No problem... You can do it in one hour easily.