By Jo Doumbia
In addition to receiving the calendar confirmation that fall is here, wondering about the weather conditions of the day, and beginning to enjoy the transformation of the leaves’ colors, many of us in the back of our minds have the thought of soon having to deal with the fallen leaves.
Many will drive miles to admire a forest ablaze in bright red, yellow, and orange leaves, and kids will love to jump into piles of fallen leaves and crunch them as loudly as possible, while many will have varied reactions to the mounds of leaves in our yards.
Some of us will pile them, bag them, and place them near the sidewalk for pickup by the local authorities. But while deciding how to handle them, consider that fall leaves are an essential overwintering habitat for many pollinators and wildlife. Caterpillars, such as woolly worms, woolly bears, and others, spend the winter snuggled under the leaves. Several butterflies and moths spend the winter as caterpillars, cocoons, or chrysalises buried under the leaves, and some even overwinter as adults. Furthermore, bumblebee queens, salamanders, and other small wildlife will look for leaves to overwinter, and many songbirds will pick through the leaves hunting for prey.
Additionally, as the leaves break down, they provide natural fertilizer for the plants around them.
The question is, what is the balance when there are too many? What if you have a small front yard where, if not raked, they constantly blow onto the sidewalk, or you have an extensive backyard with lots of them?
Consider leaving as many as possible on the plant beds, around trees, and on the ground, as they provide a protective layer, insulating roots and preserving moisture during the cooler months while providing shelter for the little creatures that will continue living in them. The remainder can be raked and piled in a corner, as they can be used in so many ways.
What about shredding them and using them as mulch, adding them to your compost bin as the brown component (carbon) to help break down the green material, or letting them decompose naturally in a corner until they become “leaf mold,” an amazing soil conditioner?
Enjoy this season of transformation and beauty, with the vibrant display of colors, crisp air, golden sunlight, and the sound of rustling leaves. Also, remember that this cycle of shedding and decay is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustaining life throughout the year. In this way, the beauty of fall leaves extends far beyond their appearance, as they play a key role in nature’s ongoing renewal.