It's that time of the year again when most dicidious trees are loosing their leaves. We, (People) see leaves as a disterbance to our space. We will go through any means necessary to see that every last one is erraciated from our landscapes. This thinking however serves no ecological value and is a horrible disterbance to nature. Leaf blowers are loud and scare any wildlife away within a mile radius, are mostly gas powered which emits fumes and toxins. The disposal of leaves by various methods is also a topic for discussion. Suction tubes attached to big trucks, come to properties and suck them up. Additionaly, we pile them into bags that are sent to the curb and then to a landfill. It almost seems silly that this thinking has been perpetuated through decades. Alternatively, seeing leaves as a rescource could be a great recommendation in landscaping culture.
Leaves are not the enemy, they are a nutrient rich material that have been studied in forest succession. Let us envision their natural purpose. In forest succession, dicidious trees drop their leaves which fall to the forest floor, leaving a thick layer, to be practical maybe 3-5 inches thick. The leaves then break down through a process of decomposition, where beneficial insects and fungi break them down further creating a nutrient rich soil material, that feeds the tree for next years foliage. The trees need their leaves for self sustaining purposes, and eracading them from our spaces is not helping the trees or the landscape in general.
If we can change the view that our yards are micro-climates, we can adjust the way manage them. In turn making our literal environment a better place for all life. Leave your leaves, your soil and your trees need them. Leaves as a resource could be beneficial to property maintenance and landscaping moving forward. Leaves can be used as mulch in existing garden beds. They are hiding places for hibernating insects, are food for the ones that were laid on them the season before.
If a client has trees in their yard and are overwhelmed by the amount I recommend: Rake them with a hand rake, not a blower. This method is a litte more energy, but does not create noise pollution and produces minimal disterbance to hibernating insects. Use leaves as mulch in existing flower beds. If the leaves are big, you can hand shred and layer them about 3 inches thick. You will start to see the order to the chaos instantly. Create garden beds around the trees and leave a 3 in thick layer to create nutrients for the tree and build better soil. If you do not like the appearance to the leaves in your garden beds you can cover them with a thin layer of desired mulch, designer dyed if you prefer.
It is a victory for all those involved. We just have to manage their leaves on site. No hassle of piling them into bags for someone else to dispose of. You will have better soil in your beds after leaves break down. The plants benefit from the nutrients, and the insects are grateful for a place to hide. Leaves are a resource not the enemy. Leave as many in place as you can, move them around as needed. It's gaurenteed that they will break down before they fall again next year.
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