Cutting down the lilacs

Otherwise known as "Forcing the Lilacs."

Our lilacs have grown very tall and unruly. Some of the branches broke in a recent storm and were slaunched over. They needed help. And for the past several years, I've wanted to cut them to the ground to "force them to grow out instead of up" per the Scott County Extention Office and Rainbow Tree Care.

For those who don't know, the Extension Office provides scads of information about agriculture, gardening, and 4H. They are the "go to" people for anything related to gardening and landscaping and probably more.

Our local Master Gardener told me to cut them down to about 3 feet instead of all the way to the ground. This will force the lilacs to grow out, which is what we want. More of a wall of lilacs instead of super tall trees.

After my battle starting the chainsaw/weed trimmer, our neighbor Sam came over and did all the cutting  while Jeremy, the kids & I piled the brush.

PS. Jeremy was at work when this chore started. That's why he didn't start the chainsaw for me.