Lilacs are dying

Question: I live in Lakeville.  I planted my lilacs when we built the house they are now about 29-30 years old.  They are all along the west side of our garage, one on the back corner of the house and two more in lower level in back.  They have thrived and I have never done anything with them except enjoy the flowers in the spring.  A few days ago they started to wither. They are dying FAST.  The leaves have all turned brown and some are already dropped.  PLEASE HELP.  We have not sprayed or done anything to these areas around the lilacs

responder: Deb Reierson  Replied July 19, 2024, 1:45 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the pics.  Our wet spring has caused a few problems this year. We are getting a lot of questions about possible lilac blight. There are two kinds of blight: Bacterial blight pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae  and Ascochyta blight ascochyta syringae. I can’t say for sure what kind of blight you have but the treatment is the same. There is nothing to be done this year to treat your shrubs but clean up throughout the summer and into the fall is essential.  The effect is mostly cosmetic and will not kill your lilacs unless they suffer for several successive years.  You can send the pruned branches to your local compost. Do not compost them at home as a small home pile will not get hot enough to kill the pathogens.  https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/lilac/leavesblotches.html https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/how-recognize-treat-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blight

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 19, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your quick response.  I really hate to watch them deteriorate but am at least hopeful you are right, and they recover next year.     Linda Bouchier       From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Friday, July 19, 2024 12:45 PM To: Linda Bouchier <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Lilacs are dying (#0147746)    Dear Linda, here's the response to your question: Thanks for the pics.  Our wet spring has caused a few problems this year. We are getting a lot of questions about possible lilac blight. There are two kinds of blight: Bacterial blight pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae and Ascochyta blight ascochyta syringae. I can’t say for sure what kind of blight you have but the treatment is the same. There is nothing to be done this year to treat your shrubs but clean up throughout the summer and into the fall is essential. The effect is mostly cosmetic and will not kill your lilacs unless they suffer for several successive years. You can send the pruned branches to your local compost. Do not compost them at home as a small home pile will not get hot enough to kill the pathogens. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/lilac/leavesblotches.html https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/how-recognize-treat-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blight  Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email. Click here to view #0147746 Deb Reierson Tree Care Advisor Extension Master Gardener - Hennepin County  We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.