Why leaving fallen leaves help our wildlife
In autumn, our gardens and parks are full of fallen leaves in beautiful shades of brown, yellow and red. But rather than always sweep them up, it’s good to leave them. As they provide important food and shelter for native wildlife.
Including hibernation spots for hedgehogs. And warm sheltered ecosystems for bumblebees and caterpillars (some insects lay eggs in fallen leaves).
If collecting leaves to make leaf mould, scoop up carefully and place somewhere safe, to allow creatures to escape. Keep leaf mould (and fresh compost and unsafe mulch like cocoa, pine or rubber) away from pets. Learn more on pet-friendly gardens. Many trees with leaves are toxic to horses including yew, oak and sycamore.
Reasons to leave fallen leaves
- Fallen leaves improves soil. They are nature’s own recycling system, returning nutrients to the ground, which helps plants to grow. They also hold water, creating a better environment for worms and other soil creatures.
- Fallen leaves helps trees. Leaves that fall to the ground return nutrients back to areas where tree roots grow. In forests, nobody rakes away leaves. They form a protective layer to support plants, insects, and animals.
- Many creatures use fallen leave piles as cosy shelter to get through winter, not just those that hibernate. Leaves keep the ground warmer, like a natural blanket.
- Birds rely on insects that live in fallen leaves. This is important in colder months. Learn more on providing safe havens for garden birds (and preventing birds flying into glass).
How leaves work (photosynthesis lesson!)
Leaves work like little solar panels, to ‘eat sunlight’ to convert water and carbon dioxide into food. They breathe through tiny pores and breathe out oxygen, to help prevent climate change.
Leaves even have their own plumbing system. They release water vapour to cool, and draw water up from the roots. Clever leaves!
Leaves don’t ‘go brown in autumn. They are always brown, it’s just their colour is masked by green chlorophyll. As daylight hours decrease, chlorophyll breaks down. Leaves also have a waxy ‘sunscreen’ to avoid disease or water.
In New England, there are lots of red and sugar maple trees, which is why there are so many beautiful colours in autumn. But climate change now means foliage is peaking a week later, than the 1950s.
