Why Is It Important to Do Leaf Removal Before Snow Piles Up?

No one will see the leaves under the snow anyway, so do I even need to remove them? It’s a common temptation among property owners as winter approaches. But at Redbud Landscape, we know different. We’ve been helping commercial properties across Northwest Indiana prepare for winter for over 18 years, and have seen firsthand how disregarded leaves can cause costly damage when snow falls. Here are the key risks you need to know about:

• Lawn damage and disease
• Slippery ice hazards on walkways
• Plant and shrub damage
• Gutter and drainage problems
• Delayed spring growth

Let’s break down each of these risks so you can see exactly why timely leaf removal is essential for your property.

Can Wet Leaves Under Snow Kill My Grass?

Yes, they absolutely can. When a thick layer of leaves sits on your lawn through winter, it traps moisture against the grass and blocks essential sunlight. This creates the perfect environment for mold, fungus, and lawn diseases to develop.

Your turf needs to breathe, even during its winter dormancy. Leaves left in place essentially smother the grass beneath them, weakening roots and creating dead patches that won’t recover come spring. By removing leaves before snow falls, you protect your turf through the cold months and give it a strong head start when the growing season returns.

Do Leaves Create Ice Hazards on Walkways?

They do, and this is where liability becomes a real concern for commercial property owners. Leaves trapped under snow or ice create dangerously slippery surfaces for employees, tenants, and customers.

Picture this scenario: autumn leaves scatter across your parking lot and walkways. The first freeze arrives, and those leaves become trapped in a thin layer of ice. Snow covers everything, making the hazard invisible until someone slips and falls. What seemed like a minor inconvenience in October has become a serious safety issue by December.

Professional leaf removal eliminates this risk before it develops.

Will Leaves Frozen Under Snow Damage My Plants?

Yes, leaves left around shrubs, flowers, or young trees can trap moisture against stems throughout winter. This constant dampness promotes mold and rot, weakening or killing your plantings.

To protect your landscape beds during winter, clear leaves away from the base of plants before the first heavy snow. Consider adding a layer of fresh mulch after leaf removal to provide proper insulation without the moisture-trapping problems that whole leaves create. This approach protects your investment in landscape plantings and helps them emerge healthy in spring.

Do Leaves Affect Gutters and Drainage in Winter?

Absolutely. Leaves left on the ground or in gutters clog drainage systems, create ice dams, and lead to water damage that’s far more expensive to repair than preventive leaf removal would have cost.

When gutters fill with leaves and then freeze, water has nowhere to go. It backs up under roofing materials or overflows and freezes on walkways below.

When Is the Best Time to Remove Fall Leaves?

The ideal timing is late fall, after most leaves have dropped but before the first heavy snow. For Northwest Indiana commercial properties, this typically means scheduling leaf removal in November or early December.

Scheduling early allows for better planning and crew availability. Waiting until the last minute often means competing with other properties for service slots —or, worse, discovering that snow has already arrived before cleanup begins. Professional landscape management companies can help you plan the optimal timing based on your property’s specific needs and the season’s weather patterns.

How Much Does Pre-Winter Leaf Cleanup Cost?

Commercial leaf removal costs vary based on property size, leaf volume, and the specific services your property needs. However, preventive cleanup is consistently cheaper than repairing damage caused by snow, ice, and decomposing leaves.

Think of it this way: spending on fall leaf removal protects your investment in turf, plantings, drainage systems, and most importantly, liability protection. The cost of one slip-and-fall injury claim or one season of dead lawn restoration far exceeds the investment in professional leaf removal.

Take Action Before the Snow Arrives

Leaves may seem harmless once snow falls, but the damage they can cause to lawns, plants, walkways, and drainage is real. Preventing these problems now is far easier than fixing them later.

At Redbud Landscape, we provide professional leaf removal for commercial properties to protect your turf, plantings, and property’s safety. Our crews handle every detail efficiently, so you can head into winter confident that your property is protected.

Don’t let hidden leaves become a hidden problem. Schedule your commercial leaf removal with us today and start winter worry-free.