What kind of lilac tree is it?

[lesa]

I think it could be a little leaf lilac. They can grow quite tall though. I will say, I have had ordinary lilacs produce a bloom at an odd times... It looks very nice in that setting. Perhaps, smaller will be better, since you were having issues with the roots of the larger tree?

 

[patandchickens]

It is hard to be 100% certain without seeing one of the leaves flat-on to see the exact shape, but I am pretty sure that is one of the littleleaf lilac tribe. (It is for *sure* a lilac).

Also it is pretty common to see things like that, with a littleleaf lilac grafted onto another Syringa species' trunk (ideally, S. reticulata b/c it doesn't sucker much) to make a "tree form" thing. (Lilacs are naturally multistemmed shrubs).

I've never seen nor heard of a littleleaf-type lilac getting taller than 6-7' or so... it is possible they may slightly exceed that when grafted onto a trunk, just b/c of the trunk's own height (I do not know, have not SEEN any unusually tall specimens that way, but it seems not-impossible).

But I would absolutely not expect that grafted dealie to get more than 8-10' tall maximum, unless there is something I'm missing here and someone can actually point you to taller-growing examples of it.

(Frankly I'm not sure how tall you'd WANT a topgrafted tree-type-thing to get anyhow, as the graft points are usually not quite as sound as natural-grown branches)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Leila]

First of all, thank you all for your replies. I was starting to go crazy.

Well, my landscaper emailed me back to inform me that he planted a Syringa Meyeri Palibin Lilac in my front yard and that it will be no taller than 8 to 10 feet max. I am so sad, not because it is a dwarf tree (Actually having a small tree that is so easy to maintain and with beautiful scented bloom is somehow what I wanted) but because our association is not going to approve of it. They will make us remove it and plant another tree that is not a dwarf tree, a tree that will at least reach the second floor of our townhouse.

I feel so sad that our landscaper never mentioned to us that the lilac tree we had wanted there was going to be a dwarf one...

I am in zone 7. Do any of you know of any lilac tree (preferably with purple blooms) that are hardy in my area?

Thanks,
Leila

 

[patandchickens]

Again, there are no naturally tree form lilacs except S. reticulata which is white-flowered and smells funny.

I've never seen topgrafted "normal" lilacs, I'm not sure they exist. And if you want a single-trunked tree you need topgrafted. (It is *possible* to prune up a lilac into a single trunk but it will be perpetually suckering *really badly* at the ground). I suppose you could ask around though, who knows.

But first, wait a sec... doesn't 10' count as "reach the second story of your townhouse"? Exactly how is the regulation written? Personally I'd be inclined to say nothing and then if challenged you can say "hey, the landscaper says this tree will get 10' tall"

Pat

 

[Leila]

Pat,

I think I'll be happier if it actually reaches 10 feet tall and grows a little wider too. Even at 10 feet, it will not be reaching our second floor because you have to take a couple of steps to get into the house which makes the first floor seem higher than normal...

I will not say a thing to our association though. I'd really hate to see that little tree go so soon. We'll see.

It is weird that you say that normal purple lilac trees don't exist. I lived overseas when I was younger and there used to be that huge lilac tree with purple blooms that would hang over the high fence of a house. We used to stop and smell the bloom on our way back from school because they were heavenly. Because of it, I always thought that lilacs where trees not bushes, but it seems to be the opposite here. Then again, I am no expert at all, so what do I know!

Leila

 

[thistlebloom]

I lived overseas when I was younger and there used to be that huge lilac tree with purple blooms that would hang over the high fence of a house. We used to stop and smell the bloom on our way back from school because they were heavenly. Because of it, I always thought that lilacs where trees not bushes, but it seems to be the opposite here. Then again, I am no expert at all, so what do I know!

Leila

Leila, could you be thinking of a Jacaranda tree possibly? They are fragrant and and beautiful in bloom.
Here's an image:



http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRRGXzpQ7aC9WUgaXFYFYMpTdqgmt6SddmbfpoplRCS2ETb326e8Q

 

[thistlebloom]

Actually here's a page of photos, sorry I don't know how to get an image directly to this site.

http://www.google.com/search?aq=1&o...jacaranda+tree+photos&revid=194769297&sa=X&ei

 

[lesa]

There certainly are HUGE lilac bushes, shrubs, etc. They can be very tall, if they are never pruned. But, they don't come out of one trunk. My answer to the association- would be "it is still growing"!

 

[ninnymary]

I like Lesa's answer "it is still growing". But the association may ask you the name of it to check up on it. I'm like Pat, I would'nt say anything about it. As long as it looks nice and no one says anything about it you'll be o.k. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

Mary

 

[Leila]

I love the look of that Jacaranda tree, but no, the one I remember from my childhood was a lilac tree because my name in French is pronounced "Leela" and sounds just like the way the French pronounce a Lilac tree "un lilas" and how could anyone not remember the smell of it.

I am being way too nostalgic these days...

Anyway, I don't remember the trunk of that tree (I couldn't see it, it was behind the fence), but it could have been a bush that grew wild and over the fence.

What other type of smaller fragrant tree (with a purple bloom) do you guys recommend. I am looking for something that will not grow past our 2 story townhouse but nothing that is dwarf, please! I love the look of the jacaranda but it is really huge...

This forum is great by the way,
Thanks,
Leila