Some assembly required; some parts may be missing:
I cut this overgrown forsythia down to the ground, as you can see, betting on new growth in the next few weeks.
It’s not the first time I’ve done a full rejuvenation on this poor thing: I think it was in 1987 I cut it all the way back, and it has been happy as can be ever since. Since it was well established before we bought the house in 1977 it’s probably safe to assume it’s around fifty years old. Had it not gotten to be such a bramble, and overgrowing the sidewalks, I’d have left it alone. They’re quite a mess to cut back and bundle. Sorry not to have a “Before” picture, but I’ll try to post an update when (if?) it regrows!