It's generally best to avoid major bush trimming in the fall, especially in late summer or early fall. Trimming can encourage new growth that won't have enough time to harden before winter frosts, making it vulnerable to damage.
The ideal time to trim most deciduous bushes (those that lose their leaves in the fall) is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. If your deciduous bush flowers, the timing depends on when it blooms:
* Spring-blooming bushes: Trim these right after their flowers fade. This allows them to produce new flower buds for the following spring.
* Summer-blooming bushes: These should be trimmed in late winter or early spring before they start to grow.
For evergreen bushes, late winter or early spring is generally the best time for trimming, though light pruning can sometimes be done in mid-summer. Avoid pruning evergreens in the fall, as it can make them more susceptible to winter injury.
While extensive fall pruning is generally not recommended, you can remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches at any time of year. Some homeowners do prune certain shrubs in the fall as part of a general cleanup, especially for foundation plants like Arborvitae or Hollies, which can grow rapidly. However, for many shrubs, waiting until spring for more significant pruning is better.
If you're unsure about a specific type of bush, it's always a good idea to research its particular pruning needs, as some varieties have different requirements.