Clearing Fallen Leaves
Clearing Fallen Leaves
Clearing Fallen Leaves. The beautiful fall foliage is a treat to behold, it’s important to manage the leaf litter around your trees. Too much leaf litter can harbor disease and pests and can also prevent the soil from reaching optimal temperatures for root growth. Rake and remove leaves away from the base of the tree to help prevent issues. To effectively clear fallen leaves, you can choose from several methods, including raking, using a leaf blower, or mulching them with a lawn mower. Raking helps to gather leaves into piles, which can then be bagged or composted.Leaf blowers offer a faster approach, especially for large areas, while mulching with a lawn mower allows the leaves to decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
Here’s a more detailed look at each method:
1. Raking:
- How: Use a leaf rake to gather leaves into piles.
- Pros: Simple, effective for smaller areas, can be used to collect leaves for composting.
- Cons: Can be time-consuming for larger areas.
2. Leaf Blower:
- How: Use a leaf blower to move leaves from one area to another or to blow them into a pile for collection.
- Pros: Faster than raking, especially for large areas.
- Cons: May not be suitable for very windy days.
3. Mulching:
- How: Use a mulching lawn mower to chop leaves into small pieces and distribute them back onto the lawn.
- Pros: Leaves decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
- Cons: May not be suitable for areas with thick leaf cover.
Other Considerations:
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Composting:
Leaves can be a valuable addition to a compost pile, providing organic matter for your garden.
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Mulch:
Use leaves as mulch around trees and plants to protect roots and retain moisture.
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Disposal:
If you don’t want to compost or mulch, you can bag the leaves for disposal at a designated drop-off location.
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Weather:Avoid raking wet leaves, as they can be difficult to manage.
If you have any concerns with your landscape regarding your trees, please call Johnson Ops Tree Care for an evaluation with one of our Certified Arborists.
