For most homes in Memphis and the Mid-South, twice a year is the right baseline. Clean once in late fall, after most of the oak leaves are down, and once in late spring, after the seeds and pollen finish falling. If your roof sits under big oaks, sweetgums or pines, plan on three or four cleanings a year. And after a strong storm, a quick look from the ground is always a good idea.
That’s the short answer. The longer one depends on what’s growing over your roof, and the Mid-South grows a lot.
Why the Mid-South Keeps Gutters Busy
A lot of gutter advice assumes the trees drop their leaves in one week and then go quiet. That’s not how it works here. Our trees let go of something almost every month, and spring storms shake loose whatever they didn’t drop on their own.
Rain is the other piece. Spring storms here can drop a lot of water in a short time, and a gutter that’s half full can’t move it off the roof fast enough. So the goal is simple: keep your gutters clear going into the wet stretches, and check them after the trees and storms have had their turn.
What Actually Lands on Mid-South Roofs
The trees on your street set your schedule more than anything else. Here’s what we pull out of gutters across the Memphis area, season by season.
Oak leaves and acorns (fall into early winter): Oaks are everywhere here, from the old streets of Midtown to the big lots in Germantown and Collierville. Oak leaves are tough and slow to break down, and they pack into a dense mat once they get wet. Acorns roll straight to the low spots and the downspout openings. Some oaks hang on to their leaves well into winter, so a cleaning in early October can be undone by Thanksgiving.
Sweetgum balls (fall and winter): If you have a sweetgum in the yard, you already know. The spiky seed balls drop through fall and winter, and they’re the perfect shape to wedge into a downspout and catch everything behind them.
Pine straw (year round): Pines shed needles in every season. The needles slip through small gaps, knit together into a mat and pack into the elbows of downspouts. A few pines near the house can keep a gutter partly full all year, even after a cleaning.
Maple and elm seeds (spring): Maples drop their winged “helicopter” seeds in spring, and elms drop small, papery seeds around the same time. Both pile up fast and hold moisture, which gives seedlings a place to sprout. If you’ve ever seen tiny trees growing in a gutter, this is usually how they got there.
Pollen (spring): The yellow-green dust that coats every car in early spring settles in your gutters too. Mixed with rain and seeds, it turns into a sludge that slows the flow.
Storm debris (spring and late fall): The Mid-South sees severe weather in spring, and often another round in late fall. Strong wind brings down twigs, small branches and leaves from trees that aren’t even on your property, and your gutters can fill up in a day. That’s not a sign your last cleaning was bad. It’s just the weather.
How Your Part of Town Changes the Answer
Our service area covers a lot of ground, and the right schedule changes with it.
Midtown and East Memphis
These are some of the most established neighborhoods in the city, with big, old oaks and plenty of sweetgums over the rooftops. Twice a year is the minimum here. Homes right under a large tree often need a third cleaning in late fall or winter.
Cordova, Bartlett and Arlington
You’ll find a mix here, from mature wooded lots to newer subdivisions with younger trees. Newer streets with smaller trees can usually stay on a twice-a-year schedule. Lots that back up to woods or have pines nearby tend to need more.
Germantown and Collierville
Both are known for their tree canopy, and that’s great for shade and curb appeal. It also means a lot of oak leaves, acorns and sweetgum balls. Many homes here do best with three cleanings a year, with the extra one in winter after the late leaves come down.
Lakeland and north Mississippi (Olive Branch, Southaven)
Lakeland’s wooded lots often get heavy leaf and pine drop. In Olive Branch and Southaven, it depends on the street: newer neighborhoods with young trees can usually stick with twice a year, while older, shaded lots need more.
Not sure where your home falls? If your gutters overflow or sprout plants between cleanings, it’s time to add one.
A Simple Seasonal Gutter Maintenance Checklist
You don’t need to climb onto the roof to use this list. Most of it you can check from the ground.
Fall (September to November)
- Book your main cleaning for late fall, once most of the oak leaves are down.
- Watch the downspout openings. Acorns and sweetgum balls tend to collect there first.
- Walk around the house during a good rain. Water spilling over the edge usually means a clog or a low spot.
Winter (December to February)
- If you’re under oaks or sweetgums, plan a winter cleaning for the leaves and seed balls that came down late.
- Check that downspouts are carrying water away from the foundation, not pooling next to it.
- Look for gutters pulling away from the fascia or sagging between hangers.
- When the Mid-South gets an icy spell, make sure gutters are clear beforehand so water has somewhere to go.
Spring (March to May)
- Once the pollen and seeds settle, book your second cleaning.
- Look for anything winter loosened: separated seams, loose elbows, drips at the corners.
- After spring storms, check for twigs and branches in the gutters and on the roof.
Summer (June to August)
- Pull out any pine straw that’s built up since spring.
- Trim back branches that touch or hang over the roofline.
- This is a good time for repairs or adjustments, before fall leaves start dropping.
- If you find yourself cleaning more often than you’d like, summer is a good time to look at gutter guards.
When a Maintenance Program Makes Sense
Most people don’t skip gutter cleaning on purpose. Life just gets busy.
That’s why we offer a gutter maintenance program. We send you a friendly reminder when it’s time. Our crew clears the gutters, cleans out the downspouts, elbows and joints, and takes care of minor fixes like re-sealing a miter or re-securing a loose hanger. Then they sweep the walkways, patios and driveway before they leave. You don’t have to keep track of the calendar, because we do.
You can also learn more about our gutter cleaning service and what goes into each visit.
Can Gutter Guards Cut Down How Often You Clean?
For a lot of Mid-South homes, yes. Guards keep leaves, acorns, sweetgum balls and pine straw out of the gutter while still letting water in. That matters most if you live under big trees or find your gutters filling back up a few weeks after a cleaning.
Pollen and small debris can still settle on top, so you’ll want an occasional check. But for many homes, guards turn three or four cleanings a year into a much lighter routine. You can read more about how our gutter guards work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should gutters be cleaned in Memphis?
Twice a year works for most Memphis homes: once in late fall after the oak leaves drop, and once in late spring after the seeds and pollen settle. Homes under heavy tree cover, especially oaks, sweetgums or pines, often need three or four cleanings a year.
When is the best time to clean gutters in Tennessee?
In the Memphis area, late fall is the most important cleaning, usually after most of the oak leaves are down. Late spring is the second, once the maple and elm seeds and the pollen have finished falling. If you have trees that hold their leaves into winter, a third cleaning in winter helps.
Do pine trees really mean more gutter cleaning?
Yes. Pines shed needles all year, not just in fall. The needles knit together into a mat and pack into downspouts, so homes with pines nearby usually need more than two cleanings a year or a set of gutter guards.
Should I check my gutters after a storm?
It’s a good habit. Strong storms can bring down twigs, branches and leaves from trees all over the neighborhood. A quick look from the ground after a big storm can catch a clog before the next rain.
Let’s Get Your Gutters on the Right Schedule
The Brothers That Just Do Gutters Central Mid-South is locally owned by Memphians Will Tashie and Trace Cisneros. If you’re not sure how often your home needs a cleaning, we’re happy to take a look and give you an honest answer. Get a free quote or call (901) 763-8330.