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Which Plants to Prune in Late Fall

Which Plants to Prune in Late Fall

Pruning is often done in winter when trees are dormant. However, some plants may benefit more from pruning…

Oct 02,2024

Pruning is often done in winter when trees are dormant. However, some plants may benefit more from pruning in the fall. Before undertaking such a project, consult a reputable tree care company to ensure you minimize damage when temperatures drop. At Sesmas Tree Service, we leverage extensive knowledge and experience to tailor maintenance plans based on your trees. This gives you peace of mind, knowing your landscape has been in tip-top shape for years. With fall around the corner, here are plants you should prune.

Which Plants to Prune in Late Fall

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas vary in species, each with a specific time of year to prune. Arborists and industry professionals recommend pruning the smooth and panicle hydrangeas in the fall, especially when they bloom on new wood. If you notice blooming on old wood, like oak leaf and big leaf hydrangeas, prune immediately after they bloom at the end of summer. If you prefer a professional approach, consult a tree service to handle maintenance tasks like pruning and trimming. In addition, arborists can pinpoint the specific species of hydrangeas on your premises, providing the proper care needed to enhance overall health and growth.

Roses

Like the hydrangeas that bloom on new growth, the popular Knock Out Roses also require pruning in the fall. If you have roses growing in your yard, cut them back at least by a third to prevent severe damage. Proper pruning is vital for roses because it helps them grow and bloom the following season. Pruning roses doesn’t require specialized equipment, but if you don’t have pruning shears, loppers, or secateurs, hire tree service providers to handle maintenance.

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Perennials

If you have perennial plants in your yard, pruning in the fall provides the best opportunity to remove old foliage. Once these plants are past their blooming time, cut the old stems back to the base but leave new leaves intact. Some perennials that might benefit from fall pruning include astilbe, phlox, daylilies, hostas, and yarrow. Leaving some perennials with seed heads to feed the birds when temperatures drop is advisable. Suitable perennials for winter bird feeding include coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. 

Grasses

Homeowners often focus on yard care in the fall, cutting back grasses for a more manicured landscape. Arborists recommend leaving grass through winter and cutting back in the spring to improve curb appeal. This ensures the tufts and textures look great in your yard when flowers don’t bloom, and trees lose their leaves. For those who lead busy lives or don’t have time to tackle yard care, hire a tree care company to provide regular maintenance and ensure your landscape is pristine.

Suckers

Lastly, plants that shoot around the trees' base should be removed at the end of fall. The last thing you want is one plant forming a colony and compromising the quality of your greenery. Some of the suckers to look out for include kerria, sumac, witch hazel, and saucer magnolia. If you don’t remove suckers early, you risk competition for essential nutrients and water, as well as premature tree removal in case of severe damage.

Do you need help with late fall pruning? If so, contact us at the Sesmas Tree Service and schedule a consultation with our experts. At competitive rates, we provide tailored services like planting, trimming, and tree removal.

Customer Reviews

3 large Leyland Cypress trees removed near front of our home. Excellent service, professional crew, very competitive pricing for superior work! Rolando provided the initial estimate and the  follow up and was the best in terms of customer relations. I'd both use this company again AND highly recommend them.

Susan Hitchcock

This is the 2nd time we have used Sesmas Tree Service. They are a wonderful company to deal with. They were on time, professional, and very thorough. They cleaned up prior to leaving and went out of their way to protect our plants and landscaping. And they kept to their proposal with no hidden cost or add ons. Definitely a five star experience!

Gene McFadden

Wow!  I deal with tree services in my professional work and I can honestly say Sesmas is by far the most professional, best equipped, efficient, safety conscious, and communicative service I've ever encountered.  Their price was very reasonable and they even went so far as to include additional work without increasing the price.  Call them!  Now! They are very quick to respond.

Scott McLendon

We've used Sesmas several times and have always received excellent service.  Estimates are quick and easy and the crew is efficient and leaves the property clean of debris.  Recently we needed a tree removed next to a heavily landscaped area.  Sebastian went over everything with me in detail and listened to my concerns.  The crew did an excellent job in removing the tree with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.  We are pleased and will consider them again in the future for pruning and tree removal.

Tonia Griswold

Sesmas Tree Service was amazing! I had two dead trees cut and a lot of trees that were already down on my property removed. Sebastian came out and sent the quote in writing within 24 hours. We were in the process of scheduling the service when a slot opened up sooner snd I was able to go ahead and get the work done. Everything was explained ahead of time for what to expect. The crew was very efficient and professional.  All of the work and cleanup was done in one day. I would recommend Sesmas for your tree cutting/cleanup needs.

LaDora Woods

I hired Sesmas to cut down a very tricky tree that was hanging over my house as well as a few large limbs. They did a great job and had the machinery to get the job done right.

Perry Hartman

Great experience with Sesmas. They were meticulous with my tree removal, safe and efficient. David’s communication throughout the process was much appreciated. Highly recommend!

Lindsay Ellenburg

Great experience with Sesmas Tree Service. The arborist who came out was a Board Certified Master Arborist, and you could immediately tell he knew his stuff. He took the time to explain what needed to be done, gave us clear options, and helped us feel confident from start to finish. The whole process was easy and professional. We’ll definitely use them again.

Ed Martin

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