TIMOTHY DALY: Avoid Pruning Trees and Shrubs in the Fall

During the long, hot dog days of late summer, the Extension Office receives fewer calls from home gardeners. That was especially true this year, since in the 90-plus degree, who wants to go outside and work in the yard? With the arrival of autumn, the temperatures cool down when the leaves begin to change, the skies are blue, and everything outside is inviting. Even folks who seldom venture outside in their yards eagerly enjoy yard work. They notice that some plants may have gotten a little “leggy” since the last time they were in the yard. Since it is a beautiful day for yard work, it would be a good time to do some pruning, right? Wrong!

Despite our natural inclinations, there are better times to prune woody shrubs and trees than fall. The first reason to avoid fall pruning is that fall-pruned shrubs tend to have more winter injury.