Since I had gleamed a bit of valuable information off of Mr. Walter Pall's blog on lilac. I thought to correspond with him on the subject matter of how they take to root pruning. I also attached this link since it had photos of my material and also the virt as to a possible direction to take my lilac.
I was honored he found time in surely a busy schedule to answer back with a reply. Which also gave me a direction on how I should proceed.
I think you should cut back your shrub by 80 %- Yes what's left will be only 20% of the overall length. Then let gow again to present size. And cut back again. Do this five times (five growing seasons) and then you will have reasonable material which can be truned into a good bonsai. After it is styled an has rest fo0r a vegetation perood you can ruthlessly cut back the roots and plant it into a nice pot. This will be eight years from now. Such is bonsai. That's the professional method. To go on like you have is amateuerish.
That said...the mention of dealing with the roots after years past. I was unclear...the rule I've heard ones say...about removing the top you should also remove some of the roots. I was puzzled if I was quite grasping what he was saying...or as it an unforeseen rule that one just worked roots just not ruthlessly since I was going to chop off 80% of the top.
I questioned my ability to grasp what he wrote...I finally asked him if lilacs didn't apply to the rule of removing roots along with the top of a tree. Or...if I misunderstood and I was to actually slightly do root work.
His reply back...was quite enlightening!
Darlene,
It is better to not work on the roots for a few years. The trick is that the roots are built for a large bush. When you cut that bush back the tree has too many roots. This is good! It then will correct itself very quickly, throwing lots of new shoots. Not you balance the tree - the tree balances itself. What you read about balancing is by and large a myth.
You can publish my answers in your thread if you like.
You can see he gave me permission to quote his correspondence. Which I was humbled...once again to have gleamed his knowledge on such mediocre material at best. But...what I took from this will go far in my walk with bonsai.
Again Mr.Pall...humble and grateful for your knowledge and time you took in sharing it with me. Thank You.
Not sure how many here are affiliated with Facebook. But there is an amazing group there that is called "Bonsai School". Neli gives amazing lessons on how to handle specific things in bonsai...you must pass tests and such to have her critique a tree. (I was so honored Neli...to have my tree offered up for a vert from you...the time and such you put into my post and tree was greatly appreciated. )
