Apparently still too short. If the soil situation is moist and shaded the main stems may have been taken out by honey fungus (Armillaria), to which lilacs are said to be quite prone.

In which case the suckers may be next.

Thank you, bboy.
Smiles,
D..

You know what? Just for the heck of it, since you have several anyway, why not dig one up? Plant it somewhere else and see what happens. It may do better, and then you'll know. If you do, let us know how it turns out.

If it happens the one spot has honey fungus it would not be desirable to move it to another part of the yard, along with the lilac.

Okay, I need to find out what this honey fungus is and go from there. Before I dig one out, Susey, I'll get this figured out.
I suppose my Little Kims don't want to get contaminated so I will pursue that prior to making a change. Tho they are in a differant bed.
About 10 feet from this dead French Lilac is a Common Snow Ball, huge, and each year it's leaves get crinkles and disfigured. It seems to out grow it...not interfering with the blooms or growth a season's end. Maybe this Armillaria effects both? Also in the area is a big Rosa Glauca which looks great. I'm getting worried now. Whew...
Smiles,
D...