While fall is a great time to get your pruning tools cleaned and sharpened, it’s not a good time to use them. Trees and shrubs pruned in the fall or early winter will not have time to heal before going dormant making them more susceptible to winter damage and diseases. You will also be cutting off next years blooms on spring flowering plants.
When to prune deciduous plants depends on when they flower. Spring flowering shrubs and trees, like azaleas and dogwoods, should be pruned shortly after they bloom. Prune summer-flowering shrubs and trees, such as beautyberry and crapemyrtle, in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Broadleaf evergreens, and deciduous non-flowering shrubs should also be pruned in late winter.
For more pruning information check out UT’s excellent publication Best Management Practices for Pruning Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Covers.