Can a lilac tree be trimmed back and should it be done in the winter or while its still blooming. I just noticed today while mowing the lawn that the rhodo is on my side of the fence. I thought it was just a stray branch from the neigbor's tree. Looking at the photos, the lilac is on the left, the red rhodo is planted about 7 or 8 feet away, and the branch with the red leaves is an unknown tree on the neighbor's side of the fence. I tried to get a couple of shots showing how the rhodo is growing. Kind of up a few feet and then a sharp curve outwards while it tries to seek sun and an escape route. The lilac branches are all over it. Ground cover is some perennials gone nasty weeds and something that looks like some kind of ivy growing up the trunk of the lilac. Or should I be trimming back the lilac at all. I like this tree, but I want to give that rhodo some breathing room too. Lilac, red rhodo, red leaf branch from neighbor's tree ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden ) One side of how the rhodo is growing ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden ) Other side of how rhodo is growing ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden ) Lilac branch is drowning rhodo ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden ) Another shot of rhodo inbetween lilac and neighboring branch ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden )
I would think about moving the rhodie rather than the lilac. Rhodies can be moved most any time that it is not too hot or cold in the PNW. American Rhododendron Society has a website http://www.rhododendron.org/transplant.htm Given time and proper light the rhodie will start new growth from the base after transplanting. After new growth has started (a couple of years) and matured you could then start to shape the rhodie. Pretty color on the flowers of the rhodie.
If you would like to trim back the Lilac, the best time is right after it blooms. The flower buds for next year are already forming not long after it is done blooming.
Thanks for that website! I've saved the link and we'll transplant it later this summer. I have the perfect spot in front of our house. I have another rhododendron that is young and small that I want to move to because I can see in its current spot it will get crowded in a few years, so it'll go a few feet away too now that I have some tips.
