Trees in your yard are there for your enjoyment. If you don't want it there any longer, get rid of it. It's possible I have an issue with cutting down trees. I live in the suburbs, and an entire orchard (apples) was cut down to make room for boring production homes. I feel a sense of obligation to restore some of the beauty that was taken away. I know, it's a little ridiculous (my entire family thinks I'm a little nuts). My neighbors planted dwarf apple trees (different variety, though) the same summer as us, and have been getting apples for 2 years. So I think our tree may have a problem that prevents it from production. I will post in the fruit and orchard forum though, thanks. heather

I usually leave everything until the spring, but last spring, I promised myself that I would cut down as much as possible in the fall. I find that I had too much to do in the spring and it all looks so ugly until I get it cleaned up. I am wanting to try for the best, prettiest spring garden that I have had so far. Plants that I have and will leave until spring, are what has already been mentioned. I have lost Buddleia in a year I cut it back in the fall. Perovskia, lavenders, ornamental grasses and anything that is only hardy to my zone 6. I used to leave plants to overwinter for the birds, but I watch the birds all the time and never see them go near the dead perennials after the fall anyway. I don't think we have that much that interests them. I have no experience with cutting back plants that are still green/growing. I did however purchase a Hardy Hibiscus last year from Mahoney's in the fall and they had already cut them all back to ground level in their pots, before a freeze. pm2

Did you water the plant and then have the plant exposed to cold temperatures? The flip side is that you might not have watered enough. Even though I don't water mine very much during the winter, this afternoon I found a sans with fallen leaves that were also wilted badly... hadn't watered it enough.

Leave them alone. They are still helping the roots to grow. Don't expect anything this year. It is all about ROOTS, so if you got a lotsa them you will have a nice hosta next year. If you got lotsa tops and few roots, you will still have a nice hosta next year, only smaller leaves. HOWEVER, years ago when someone would transplant a hosta, they cut it back to look like celery and plopped it into the ground. Those did just fine the next year too!!!! If it had been taped with masking tape when divided, (ala Ken's advice) it might have stayed more erect, but once flopped, it probably won't come back upright this year. Look for good things next Spring! -Babka