In autumn, the leaves of trees and bushes cover meadows and paths in many places. The colorful leaves also accumulate in the garden. Many garden owners then resort to rakes and leaf vacuums to remove them. However, it would be better to save yourself most of the work because the foliage provides natural protection for plants and animals. How do flora and fauna benefit from leftover autumn leaves?
Anyone who owns a garden has to put in regular work into maintaining their own green oasis. Especially in autumn, many garden owners regularly rake lawns, beds, etc. to clear them of fallen leaves. A fully grown European beech tree sheds around 28 kilos of leaves at this time of year – this can quickly lead to a thick layer of leaves on lawns and beds. In most places, however, clearing the entire garden of red, orange, yellow and brown leaves is not necessary or even counterproductive.
Protective blanket for plants
A layer of leaves acts like an insulating blanket: it protects sensitive plant roots from the cold and at the same time prevents the soil from drying out too much. When the leaves decay, they also release nutrients into the soil and thus also into the plants. The nutrients will then benefit them in spring. Shrubs and perennials in particular benefit if they are covered with a layer of leaves in autumn. Leaves from fruit trees, hornbeams and linden trees are particularly suitable for this as they rot quickly and therefore quickly release their nutrients.
The fallen leaves of trees that contain more tannic acid, such as oak, chestnut or walnut, rot more slowly, but can also lower the pH value of the soil. This foliage is therefore particularly suitable for so-called ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas or hydrangeas, which prefer acidic soil. However, this foliage from oak, chestnut, etc. is less suitable for plants that like it less acidic. However, gardeners can balance the acidity with sprinkled lime or bentonite if necessary.
Shelter and winter quarters
But it’s not just the flora that benefits from leaves left lying around: for some animals, a cover of leaves can even be essential to their survival in winter. Hedgehogs, toads and mice, for example, use piles of leaves to hibernate over the winter – this way they are protected from both the cold and predators. Earthworms, spiders, beetles, newts, caterpillars and butterflies also find shelter under the loose leaves on beds and under trees. Microorganisms, worms and other soil dwellers decompose the leaves and keep the soil loose and fertile. Birds, in turn, find these ground dwellers a welcome source of food in winter.
Anyone who pulls the leaves together too much is damaging nature. Even more damaging than missing leaves, however, are leaf vacuums and blowers, which suck up or blow away everything around them at air speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Beetles, spiders, millipedes, woodlice and amphibians in particular can hardly resist the forces of the devices and are sucked in or thrown meters away. Leaf vacuums with a built-in shredding function even dismember the animals. Garden owners should therefore use rakes or brooms, if at all, to move leaves from A to B.
Do not leave it on the grass
However, leaves should not be left everywhere. It should be removed from lawns because the thick, moist layer of leaves prevents the supply of oxygen and can cause the lawn to rot. It is also advisable to remove the leaves from sidewalks, stairs or driveways – otherwise there is a risk of slipping. The leaves can then simply be collected elsewhere in the garden or added to the compost.