lilac problem - leaves drop off

[karaman]

hallo,

my lilac is about 4 years old, had 4 super scented flowers in spring. now the leaves at the top turned brown and dropped off, trundling on towards the lower branches which still have some leaves hanging on in there..... have noticed some tiny white spots on the branch. what is wrong i dont want to lose her! what shall i do?

cheers, karaman

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[azigni]

Can't say for sure, but here in Albuquerque this happens from lack of water. Generally when it starts it's too late for half the leaves.

[Amos Nomore]

I was going to suggest overwatering as a possible etiology.

[karaman]

Thanks for replies but lack of water possible -- will shoot out there to remedy! thanks again. karaman.

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[azigni]

Yes, when I put in lilacs my family in Minnesota thought I was silly, as they grow like weeds there. Here in Albuquerque, I was doubtful they would survive. Now they are over 15 years old, and barely chest high.

Good luck.

[Brooklyn1]

There are many varieties of lilac, some grow no more than 2' tall while others can achieve a 15'-20' height, with similar widths. Lilac is also available in several colors from pure white to deep purple.

I just ordered this one for fall planting, I wasn't aware of a yellow lilac:

[Brooklyn1]

I just noticed that you're in Albuquerque, Lilac likes cold winters, down to zone 2, but doesn't do well in hot climes; no warmer than zone

7.

[Moe DeLoughan]

As other posters have noted, the first thing to assume is a moisture problem. Another possibility is verticillium wilt. It usually does not affect the entire bush or tree, just a section, usually the topmost or outermost stems or branches first. The leaves initially stay green but wilt, and then turn brown. The stems usually die, but sometimes will resprout the following year.

There isn't anything one can do about verticillium wilt, except give the shrub or tree some extra care to minimize stress, since stress can make the wilt worse.

I've had this for many years with my thirty-plus year old Japanese tree lilac. I'll usually see a small stem or two wilt/brown/die back each year, but every few years the dieback will be more substantial - a entire branch or three. But given plenty of water during hot/dry spells and a biennial fertilizing, despite the wilt, the tree thrives.