Marianne's Response
When to cut dead fern fronds
Hi: I live on a large 2 acre, heavily forested lot in Olympia. We have many large established trees and ferns. The ferns are very large with areas at the bottom that die off and become brown with new sprouts in the middle. Is it a good idea to trim those sections that have died off? I love the ferns but they look horrible with the dead sections!
Thank you,
Kellie in Olympia
Posted by Kellie Hogan on June 18, 2016
Marianne's Response
Yes, Tax Day (April 15) is the best day to trim off old sword fern fronds. Any earlier and you may risk harming the hibernating native tree frogs and later you may damage the new fronds as they unfold - but don't get stuck on dates - anytime of year it is safe to cut back anything that is dead, damaged or diseased on any plant.
Keep growing,
Marianne Binetti
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