I am not a fan of shrubs up against a wooden house, if for nothing other than the inconvenience to repair and the humid environment they create near all that wood. So what is slowing me down? Shouldn't have this old, rangy lilac been cut down months ago?
What would you do?
More information: the tree has a pretty sizable knot of 4" stems at its base. On the left is the septic electrical and the right the gas line. The septic electric wire definitely crosses the lilac without proper protection as I found when digging for the landing piers just a few feet away. Digging will be treacherous. Hmmm. I may transplant one of the many suckers and take it out without removing the roots. Too bad this has to play itself out with nearly all of the foundation plantings.
I'd move it to a sunny spot in the yard...but I dearly love the smell of lilacs!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a soft spot for lilacs. Plus you can cut them back hard. I'd try pruning it WAY back then transplanting away from the house. Although I'd wait about a month.
ReplyDeleteEllen, this IS Minnesota. I'm afraid it might run all over the way it is along the foundation. It's also tough to dig out as its near the buried gas and electrical lines. Hmmmmmmm.
DeleteI don't think I looked at the photo of the four twined stems before...I see what you mean. When you say, this IS Minnesota, are you saying it might be too cold in a month? If so, then I'd wait till daytime temps are in the 60s (let's put it that way), then dig up as much as you can, because clearly it can't stay where it is. If you're left with any piece that's salvageable, like a sucker, plant that. I'm just afraid that if you don't dig up the roots it'll come back. Cuz it's a lilac.
DeleteMy suspicion entirely. That it's kind of weedy already along the foundation. Yes, Minnesota cold by October 15
DeleteTake it out
ReplyDeleteTake it out
Take it out
Remove it