Question
In followup to your answer to another question about lilac blight, I have some similar symptoms to those mentioned. I do not have a leaf problem. Just last year's shoots turning black with no bud development past a certain point in time. Two years ago just the bottom half of my bush blossomed out. Last year, just one lone bud opened. This year it looks like there will be none. Is this the bacteria blight without leaf involvement? I definitely will trim the bush this year and spray with copper sulfate next spring. I presume it's too late for this year, or will it protect this years shoots? Thanks in advance.
Ken

Answer
It sounds like the blight. The buds are the new leaves and are becoming infected before they open. Flower clusters also may be infected and rapidly blighted and blackened. Buds may fail to open or may turn black and die shortly after opening. Symptoms are similar to those of winter injury.

If your lilac bush does have infection, prune and burn all infected parts as soon as you notice them.Also go ahead and spray the fungicide this will protect the un-infected areas. Pruning can be done up till mid summer (July) or if done after this time you risk cutting off next years flowers.