Aside from ailments, one longtime Greater Victoria arborist recommends leaving the leaves this fall.
That may mean less raking, but work still needs to be done, said Dan Sharp of Davey Tree Expert Company.
Recently relocated to Ontario, Dan Sharp misses the Douglas fir synonymous with living in coastal B.C. but what stands out for him in the fall is the plethora of Garry oaks.
“A yard is a lot of work and to rake or not to rake is something that comes up a lot in Victoria especially with Garry oak leaves.”
Also among the oldest of trees in the urban setting, the oaks present the biggest question for property owners.
The way they curl up into these cup shapes they’re really good at not touching the ground,” Sharp said. “If they’re not touching the soil they’re not going to decompose.”
When in doubt, mulch.
“Run them over with the lawnmower, that breaks them up into tiny pieces and they fall down between the blades of grass,” he said. “It’s also way less work than raking and hauling to the roadway.”
Most mowers have an option to mulch or blow the debris out the side which allows the operator to select a pattern that sends those nutrients back to the lawn or flower beds “depending on what you value in your landscape.”
The only reason to rake, is disease. Ailments can persist on a property and re-emerge come spring.
More common ailments to look for include anthracnose, most common on dogwoods. Anthracnose impacts forest edge trees that can be a little fussy in the city, Sharp said. A leaf disease that leaves them dry and crispy “it looks bad but it’s also hurting the plant.”
The south Island is also prone to powdery mildew on maples and certain shrubs.
“It’s important to rake up those leaves and put them out for collection or in the green bin, not composting on the property,” Sharp said. “Some people like to do that with all of their leaves.”
However, folks looking for that tidiness in landscaping could be hindering tree health.
“You’re removing all the nutrients that the tree pulled from the soil to grow those leaves,” Sharp said. “If you do it again and again and again for decades… you can end up with depleted soil. Depleted soil is one of the biggest causes of tree stress in urban areas.”
So those who rake for esthetics should consider alternative health supplements for their trees and shrubs – though Sharp personally, vehemently, prefers the natural method of mulching.
