Fall Pruning: What Not to Cut Now & Why - Seacost NH
Temps Cooling Days are Getting Sorter
Fall along the New Hampshire Seacoast is one of the most beautiful times of year. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and many homeowners feel the urge to tidy up their landscapes before winter sets in. While it’s natural to want your yard looking neat, fall is not the right time to prune many shrubs, hedges, and ornamental trees. Pruning at the wrong time can remove flower buds, trigger tender new growth that winter kills, or leave wounds that invite pests and disease. In this article, we’ll look at why restraint is often the best approach in October and November, and what you should save for winter or spring.
3 Basic DON’T DO THIS!
1. Don’t cut spring-flowering shrubs: Shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, rhododendrons, azaleas, and viburnums already set their flower buds the previous summer. If you prune them in fall, you’ll be removing next spring’s blossoms.
2. Don’t heavily prune evergreens: Boxwood, holly, yew, and arborvitae can be lightly shaped, but avoid major cuts in fall. Pruning stimulates tender new growth that won’t have time to harden before New England’s winter, leaving the plant vulnerable to die back.
3. Don’t prune trees or shrubs that are prone to winter injury or disease: Maples, birches, and dogwoods “bleed” sap heavily if cut when dormant, and oaks are at risk of oak wilt if pruned out of season. In general, wait until late winter or early spring, when plants are still dormant but past the deepest col
Why Fall Pruning Can Harm Plants
When you prune, you stimulate growth. In the warm spells of fall, shrubs often push out new soft shoots in response. The problem is that these shoots don’t have time to harden off before freezing weather arrives, which means they die back and stress the plant. At the same time, pruning wounds left in the fall can remain open longer and are more vulnerable to fungal infections or winter damage. A light cleanup of dead, diseased, or broken branches is fine, but heavy pruning should wait until the plant is fully dormant or until the correct seasonal window for that species.
Shrubs to Avoid Cutting in Fall
Several of New England’s favorite shrubs set their flower buds in late summer for the following spring. If you cut them now, you’re literally cutting off next year’s show. Examples include lilacs, forsythia, rhododendrons, azaleas, and bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). These plants rely on old wood to carry the buds through winter. By pruning in October, you won’t see much bloom come May or June. It’s best to prune these right after they flower in spring or early summer.
Ornamental Trees at Risk
Many small flowering trees such as crabapple, cherry, and magnolia also do poorly when pruned in fall. Like shrubs, they can push out tender growth that gets burned back by cold. These trees are better handled in late winter or very early spring when they are dormant. Dormant pruning allows wounds to close quickly once growth resumes, and it gives the tree a whole season to recover.
Hedges and Evergreens
Fall is also a tricky time for hedges and evergreen screens. Arborvitae, yews, and boxwoods should not be sheared in the fall, because cuts will encourage new tips that are extremely vulnerable to winter burn. Instead, only remove damaged or crossing branches and wait until late winter or early spring for shaping. If your hedge is overgrown, plan ahead now and schedule a dormant-season cutback for healthier regrowth.
What You Can Do Now
Not all pruning has to stop in the fall. Deadwood removal is always safe, and you can lightly clean up shrubs to remove any branches that are rubbing against structures or causing safety hazards. Fall is also a great time to inspect your shrubs and trees for structural issues that you’ll want to address later. Make notes, take photos, and mark problem spots. Planning ahead now means you’ll know exactly what to ask for when you schedule winter or spring pruning with a professional.
The Expert Pruning NH Approach
At Expert Pruning NH, we know when to cut and when to wait. Our team focuses on plant health first, which means we help you avoid the common mistake of over-pruning in fall. Instead, we provide a seasonal plan that respects the growth cycles of your shrubs, hedges, and ornamental trees. By pruning at the right time, we preserve your flowers, reduce winter injury, and set up your landscape for long-term beauty. If you’re unsure what to do with your shrubs this fall, call us for a consultation and we’ll walk your property together.
Conclusion
Fall is the season of planning, not heavy pruning. By resisting the urge to cut too much now, you protect your spring blooms and ensure healthier plants for years to come. A professional pruning plan keeps your landscape beautiful while respecting the natural cycles of each plant.
📞 If you would like expert help diagnosing problems with your shrubs, hedges or ornamental trees, need pruning and ongoing care, Seacoast Residential Pruning is here to guide you. We take the guesswork out of soil care so you can enjoy a landscape that looks beautiful and grows stronger every season. Call us today at (603) 770-5072 or Contact Us to get started.
