Fall is upon us, which is apparent from the scores of colorful tree leaves blanketing the ground.
Although aesthetically pleasing, these fallen tree leaves can prove harmful to the underlying grass, as it blocks out the sunlight while restricting its nutritional intake.
Thankfully, there are several ways for homeowners to deal with fallen tree leaves, some of which we’re going to discuss in today’s blog post.
Bag it
One of the most popular ways to deal with fallen tree leaves is to rake and bag them.
Assuming you have the time (and energy), this will eliminate excess leaves on your yard, promoting a neat and clean landscape. The only real downside to raking and bagging is the time it takes.
Depending on the size of your yard, and how many leaves are covering it, you could easily spend an entire day raking and bagging.
You can rake and bag fallen leaves in less time, however, by using plastic sheets instead of trash bags.
Rather than scooping leaves and placing them in trash bags, try raking them onto a large plastic sheet or tarp. When you are finished, you can take the plastic sheet, wrap it up, and haul it to the local dump.
Burn it
A second way to deal with fallen tree leaves is to burn them. Burning is one of the oldest methods for eliminating plant waste, and even today it remains a popular choice among homeowners.
There are a few problems with burning leaves, though. For starters, it increases the risk of a house or structure fire.
Fire departments respond to hundreds of fires sparked by the intentional burning of yard debris each year. Furthermore, burning leaves produces soot and toxic chemicals that can pollute the air and contribute to respiratory illness.
Always check your local laws to determine what, if any, restrictions there are on burning leaves.
Mulch it
A third, lesser-known, option is to mulch your leaves. You don’t need any special tools or equipment to mulch leaves.
Assuming you have a lawnmower with a mulching feature, which most lawnmowers have, you’re good to go. Simply run over your law using the lawnmower, and it will grind up the fallen leaves into nutrient-rich mulch.
Ideally, you should mow your lawn when the leaves are dry. Wet leaves are difficult to mulch, and some will likely remain on your lawn. Plan your mulching for a dry day with little-to-no chance of rain in the forecast.
These are just a few ways to deal with excess fallen tree leaves in your yard.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
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