Are there any draw backs to dumping leaves?

Question

In my back yard I have a wooded area that I'd like to keep weeds & thorn bushes from growing in.
I have been raking the leaves from my property, and dumping them in the back to prevent the brush from growing.
Are there any draw backs to dumping leaves like this?

Answer 1

Leaves are great mulch and that's what you are doing when you drop them to stop bushes and weeds from growing the only draw back is fire hazard and they blow around again. To keep down the fire issue water well with a hose once a week until winter snows. To keep from blowing around the watering will help here too as the leaves when wet will stick together and not blow around or just cover with a cheap tarp and weight down with some boards anyone ask what's under the tarp just tell them its your compost pile as that's just what it is. As far as encouraging the small animals and insets don't worry unless its by your back door you need the pile at least 100 feet from the back door field mice and insects will burrow in to it but that's part of nature and not to worry. As far as encouraging more weeds with richer soil that's not really an issue unless its left unattended for several years at a time but if you turn it over once a year and add more leaves every year and water every so often then in the spring dig out the last years compost and put it in the flower beds or in low areas in the lawn the weeds don't have a chance to grow.

Answer 2

Enviromentaly there are no draw backs, it will inrich the soil in that area as the leaves break down. How ever though with enriched soil if you are already fighting exsisting tron bushes and weeds you'll just be feeding them. For the weeds a very safe item for killing them is plain white vinegar. I use it for the first time this year and wow it works really good and doesn't wash away if it rains on you.

Answer 3

The leaves will help fertilize the ground where you dump them, possibly helping the brush to grow thicker next year, unless the leaves are stacked high. With a tall stack you will have more pests, as they love to burrow in there over winter. If you want to keep putting leaves there, in spring plant some wild flowers or other plants natural to your area there.

Answer 4

Nature takes care of itself. The leaves will decompose over time, or the wind will carry some of them to your neighbors' yards.

Answer 5

Yes/No On one hand you are providing shelter for and from many insects, small animals, etc...........On the other hand you are creating an area for many insects, small animals ..and snakes.....
We have 3 acres and what we do is we bought a burn barrel just for our leaves alone............some clippings from cuting grass also....If you choose to do this , remember to get a heavy metal grate to place on top of the burn barrel when you burn, that way you won't have any leaves on fire go up and out.....

Answer 6

NO DRAWBACKS, IN FACT THE LEAVES WILL TURN INTO COMPOST WCHICH YOU CAN USE AS SUPER GOOD BLACK DIRT. USE IT IN FLOWER POTS, GARDEN ETC.

Answer 7

The smell when they rot.