What exactly does cutting back "old" growth" mean?

I have a lilac that is getting out of control and a mock orange that is huge. I have never pruned either if them since I have been here (3 years). I am hesitant because I just don't know what cutting back old growth IS exactly. I have read that I should prune my mock orange right after flowering (it is a prolific flowerer).





any advise for these wonderful smelling shrubs?

What exactly does cutting back "old" growth" mean?
Here is a link to a guide to pruning





http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/exten...
Reply:if the bushes look good and appear healthy and full, leave them alone. if they're starting to get big and out of control, you can trim back the branches. no more than about 1/3 of the length. anymore could put the plant into shock.





you would cut back the old growth (large woody stems) when the plant is no longer doing well or is fairly sparse. It's done to rejuvenate the plant. when you do this it forces new shoots to come up from the base. this works because you will then have new growth on older established roots.
Reply:It literally means to cut back the growth of previous or older growth. Usually when pruning you just cut back the latest new growth. Pruning is usually done during dormancy.


Cut Branch at an angle,


Select which ones to take out by your preference. ( what will it look like if ?


Light pruning or heavy? Good luck
Reply:cutting old growth is simply cutting back to original base/trunk of plant
Reply:It means pruning it so it can grow bushier.



flower