In article , Katharine
Mill writes
Kay Easton wrote in message news:93rOdjAaBbB$EwZ7@sc
arboro.demon.co.uk...

Assuming your lilac has several 'trunks' try taking one of them out at
the bottom. This will generate lots of shoots low down, which won't
flower in the first year but should start flowering the next year. Then
you can take out another trunk, and so on until all the trunks have
gone, and you have a lilac flowering at a decent height.

Of course, then you are stuck with the lilac and will never get your
crab ;-)

Really? Sounds too good to be true! Aha, but when you say 'trunks'...
I have one main very gnarled one at the base, and then at about 4 ft
two 'branches', which are also pretty gnarled and go up and out into
the twiglets at about 15 ft. Can I safely lop one of the branches?
Please say yes!

Yes :-)

Pity you've only got one main trunk at the base. But if you cut one of
the branches, then it might stimulate the lilac to throw up shoots from
the base, so that in a few years time you might be able to take out the
whole main trunk.

Think about whether you want to grow something up the lilac to provide
flowers through that long period when the lilac isn't flowering.

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm