Dead or not dead, that's the question

[lazy gardener]

This is my syringa (Syringa microphylla I think)
I planted it the summer we moved here, 2004.
This is how it looks now

It's a bit hard to see because there's plants behind, but this is the top of it

so, at the bottom it has a lot of new branches and leaves, but the top is, er, rather deceased I think. It does grow some new leaves though.
So now I don't know what to do with it.

Any advice welcome, thanks

 

[RonsGarden]

Since the plant need help you can safely remove 1/3 of the total growth!
First, remove all the dead stems and branches!
Then select the oldest branches coming up from the ground and remove them!
Once the plant leafs out you can go ahead and remove any other unhealthy growth!
Normally the best time to do any pruning is after flowering but since it is a mess go ahead and do the nasty deed!
Here's a good article to follow each year!

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't think there will be any flowering this year, so I will go ahead.
I wanted to start yesterday, but always million things to do and the rain.....