Pontiac's oaks hold their leaves stubbornly, and along Auburn Avenue the drop can run from the first cold snap all the way to Thanksgiving. IKO Lawn & Home Services LLC works that long tail — mowing until the grass finally quits, then leaf clearing in patient passes rather than one hopeful afternoon. Earlier in the year it's the plain rotation: cutting, string trimming, edging the walk back to its true line. October light here goes low and copper by four in the afternoon, which is a fine time to stand and look at a lawn just cleared. The season ends when the ground does.