Big Old Lilacs

[Sn0W]

One of the perks of my job is that I spend a lot of time driving around some very old houses. Happened across a house today that was having it's driveway redone and sat out by the trench that had been dug were these 3 huge stumps. I asked the guys working and they said they were lilacs and I was free to take them. They even helped me load them into the van. 2 of the 3 have loads of roots, 1 Is lacking. I know it's the wrong time of year for digging up and heavy pruning but the trunks on these are massive and I'm hoping that at least 2 of them survive .

Only got a chance to pot up one of the three today. Pictures of the other 2 to follow tomorrow .

 

[Silentrunning]

Keep the roots wet and out of the sun until they are planted. I lost a beauty because I didn’t.

 

[j evans]

Nice find and good work planting!

 

[Victorim]

Sweet! you've sealed the cuts? Pop the pics on the FB pages bud.

 

[Sn0W]

Here are the other 2. Forgot to take before pics so you could see the roots. I also appear to have lost my saw so I haven't cut them back yet.
@Victorim I'll put them up on Facebook tomorrow

 

[Myka]

Any updates?

 

[Sn0W]

I cut the other 2 back, they're sat out waiting for spring. Lots of visible nodes, just waiting to see if buds pop. Check back in 3 months

 

[Myka]

Did you get any signs of life before dormancy?

 

[Sn0W]

No, but our weather has been all over the place so I'm assuming it went dormant early than would be usual

 

[Sn0W]

Buds popping all over the three of these. Looks like they made it providing nothing goes wrong now!

 

[Silentrunning]

Judging from the number of buds it looks like you did a good job harvesting them.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Just came across this thread. How are your lilacs? I've been curious about trying one...