Fall Pruning: Think Twice
Fall is a season of harvest, marked by pumpkins, corn, and the close of the growing season. Cooler weather encourages us to get into the yard for seasonal tasks like cleaning up gardens, removing spent flowers, and raking leaves. For many, fall feels like a good time to prune trees and shrubs—but is it the best season for this important task?
Pruning creates a wound, so timing it right is essential to allow trees and shrubs to heal. Though plants begin preparing for dormancy in the fall, it’s generally not the ideal time for extensive pruning. Trees slow their growth in autumn, meaning they can’t seal pruning cuts as effectively. Late winter and early spring are better times for major pruning, as plants are ready for rapid growth, sealing cuts quickly to protect against decay.
In fall, limit pruning to removing dead, broken, or hazardous branches, which can be done at any time for safety. For larger, structural pruning or shaping, it’s best to wait until winter or early spring. Flowering shrubs add another layer of timing: old wood bloomers like lilacs, spirea, and forsythia should be pruned soon after flowering in spring, to keep from cutting off next year’s blooms. New-growth bloomers, such as butterfly bush and Rose of Sharon, can be pruned in late winter, as their flowers appear on new spring growth.
Roses can be confusing; they also bloom on new wood. It’s best to prune them in late March or early April to avoid winter damage and support spring growth.
As you plan your fall garden tasks, consider delaying major pruning until late winter or early spring. Instead, focus on garden cleanup and getting plants ready for a restful, healthy winter season. This timing ensures plants heal well, stay vigorous, and reward you with healthy growth and blooms next year.