When Is the Best Time to Trim Shrubs in Chicagoland?

As summer winds down, many homeowners in the Chicago suburbs start noticing their shrubs looking scraggly, uneven, or overgrown. The question is: when’s the right time to trim them?

The short answer: early fall and late spring are the best times to trim shrubs in Chicagoland.

Why Trim Shrubs in Fall?

• Prepare for winter: Trimming in early fall helps shrubs hold their shape and prevents them from getting damaged by heavy snow or ice.

• Curb appeal: Overgrown shrubs make a yard look messy. Fall trimming keeps your property looking neat through the holidays.

• Healthier plants: Removing dead branches and excess growth allows shrubs to conserve energy during the dormant winter season.

Why Trim Again in Spring?

• Kickstart new growth: Spring trimming shapes shrubs just as they come out of dormancy, encouraging fuller, healthier growth.

• Remove winter damage: Broken or dead branches from snow and ice can be cut back.

• Reset the look: A spring cleanup ensures your landscaping looks fresh for summer gatherings and outdoor living.

DIY Tips for Shrub Trimming

If you’d like to tackle the work yourself, here are a few quick pointers:

• Use sharp, clean trimmers — dull blades stress plants.

• Keep shrubs slightly wider at the base so sunlight reaches all branches.

• Don’t cut more than about ⅓ of the plant at once.

• Remove suckers and dead wood so healthy growth can thrive.

• Clean up clippings right away to avoid pests and mess.

The Problem With Waiting Too Long

In Chicagoland, the fall trimming window usually closes around late September to early October. After that, cold snaps and shorter days make trimming riskier — and most landscape crews are fully booked with fall cleanups.

If you wait too long, you may have to live with overgrown shrubs until spring.

The Hassle-Free Option

If DIY trimming sounds like a headache, Fresh Cut Pros makes it simple. Our Shrub Trimming Package includes:

• Two trims per year (fall + spring)

• Hassle-free scheduling — we put you on the list and it just happens

• Full debris haul-off — no piles, no mess

• Professional landscape crew

• Satisfaction guarantee — our team doesn’t leave until you’re happy and sign off

📅 We only offer 72 spots each season, and we’re already 60% booked. Priority scheduling closes September 30 — after that, availability is limited.