Jim, You did the right thing - left alone it would have rotted out. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't touch them at this time of year, although if you did they'd just go dormant a little prematurely and you lose a bit of growth. Best, J. John T Lonsdale PhD 407 Edgewood Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA Home: 610 594 9232 Cell: 484 678 9856 Fax: 801 327 1266 Visit "Edgewood" - The Lonsdale Garden at http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/ USDA Zone 6b