Autumn leaves are welcome in the natural garden as a rich treasure trove for ecologically valuable uses. Read here how the leaves under a tree trunk can be useful in your garden for the benefit of your trees, perennials, potted plants and animal winter guests.
What to do with leaves lying under a tree trunk?
For the benefit of nature, you shouldleave leaves lying under a tree trunkoruse them in an ecologically sensible way as mulch, winter protection or compost material. A pile of leaves is the ideal winter quarters for hedgehogs, toads and insects. Potted plants overwinter undamaged with autumn leaves on the root disk.
Who is responsible for the leaves under a tree trunk?
In the garden, everyone is responsible for their ownleaves. For the legislature, this principle applies regardless of whether the autumn leaves blew under a neighbor's tree trunk or fell from one's own deciduous tree.
If the leaf cover under the tree trunk poses a risk to traffic safety, removing the leaves is your responsibility as the property owner or landlord, unless the rental agreement makes the tenant responsible.
Should you remove fall leaves from under a tree trunk?
You shouldleave autumn leaves lying under a tree trunk, because they act as anatural winter protectionand valuablenutrient Source for the tree. Under a warming cover of leaves, the roots are optimally protected from bitter frost and winter waterlogging. As the winter progresses, the foliage gradually rots. Now is the time for busy earthworms to process the decomposed autumn leaves into humus.
If the tree disc is overgrown with grass, you should remove leaves as an exception. Under a cover of leaves there is a risk of lawn diseases such as snow mold and witch rings.
How to use autumn leaves under a tree trunk?
The most useful way to use autumn leaves is asMulch,Winter protection,CompostandWinter quarters for small creatures. Get inspired by these ideas:
- Rake leaves and cover the pile of leaves with brushwood as a winter quarters for hedgehogs, toads, shrews and insects.
- Mulch beds, evergreen hedges and ornamental grasses with autumn leaves.
- Compost autumn leaves in wire baskets or on the compost heap for use as natural fertilizer.
- Container plants overwinter with a thick layer of leaves on the substrate.
- Underground leaves in the garden for an extra dose of nutrients next year.
Tip
Leaf vacuums cause ecological damage
Did you know that millions of tiny creatures fall victim to a single leaf blower? In the suction with air speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, beetles, spiders and amphibians that had found shelter under the layer of leaves are dismembered. Brooms and leaf rakes remove leaves from sidewalks and lawns without causing a massacre like leaf vacuums and lawn mowers.