Tree Following: does the lilac know it's autumn?

Well, despite the anxieties of last month, the lilac is continuing to grow and its tallest shoot is now  taller than I am.

The leaves that last month were looking brown round the edges and wilted are now, additionally, somewhat frayed. Have they been eaten because they weren't doing so well or is it all part of the original problem?  I'm not sure what's had them, as there's been no sign of pests when I've been around.

However, whatever it is hasn't spread enough to do any obvious weakening. Some of the other leaves are beginning to brown, but this I recognise. The lilac always seems to turn autumnal before the other trees in the vicinity, and every year I see leaves like that below and wonder what's wrong with them, until I remember that they have to drop some time.

Meanwhile, what on earth is going to happen to the cutting?  The new leaf, as you can see has hardly grown since last time. I fear it has ground to a halt, but why? Because it actually isn't going to root, or because this cutting too is getting the message about autumn? One leaf has already dropped off (though it didn't turn brown). I'm keeping it damp and no longer keep it under a plastic bag as the soil was beginning to go mouldy. Fingers crossed.

This is part of Lucy's Tree Following meme at Loose and Leafy. Why not pop over and see what's happening to trees around the world?

Comments

[Trilliam.wordpress.com]

My recently-planted lilac has the same rather ugly leaves, but it always does that in early Autumn. I wouldn't worry; if you're worried about fungus on the cutting, I recently read that watering with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water will help to prevent that. It didn't say how strong a mixture to use (I wouldn't make it very strong), so you'll need to experiment a bit. Also, when rooting cuttings (I'm currently trying to root some Turkish Burning Bush cuttings), I dip the cut ends in powdered cinnamon before inserting them into the soil.

[Helen]

Thank you, Trilliam. That's interesting about using cinnamon to root cuttings - I guess it's the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties that help.

[Lucy Corrander]

I find that about the cinnamon interesting too. I was assuming it had similar properties to hormonal rooting powder until you mentioned its anti-bacterial nature.

I hope your cutting does last the winter. Maybe if it doesn't you will be able to take another in the spring now the parent tree appears to be healthier. Do lilacs work from hardwood cuttings or only green?

[Helen]

Thanks, Lucy. I have no idea about how you should take lilac cuttings. I'm betting this is the wrong way.

[Chloris]

My lilac has brown -edged leaves now. It doesn't have a very appealing autumn look. Such gorgeous flowers, but even in summer the leaves aren' t great.

[Helen]

Hi, Chloris. You're right, lilacs are a spring tree. Though, they do provide very good shade, should you need that.