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Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

I have an Elm tree close to my patch and naturally most of the leaves fall into the patch. I also have a Maple tree nearby which sheds a ton of leaves! Are these leaves good to leave on the patch to be tilled in as mulch or should I rake them out?

Thanks,
Mark

10/22/2006 7:43:39 PM

they should be fine. The ones to worry about are walnut (Juglans) trees. they are allelopathic... aka they give off stuff into the soil that makes other plants not grow well. I believe sunflowers do the same thing, but they have such small root systems that they aren't much of a problem.

10/22/2006 8:04:16 PM

[email protected]

Both fine...use 'em.

10/22/2006 8:21:57 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Ok thanks guys, saves me some raking!!!

10/22/2006 9:46:25 PM

Alex, IN

Hey Walnut leaves are fine. The trees only produce the toxin thru their roots and the shell around the nut itself.

Mikkal

10/22/2006 10:34:36 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Check you walnut leaves source again Mikkal. Juglone is found in the leaves and some of the toxins are removed composting.

10/22/2006 10:49:48 PM

Deer Park WA

Black walnut leaves really suck!

10/22/2006 11:28:01 PM

Alex, IN

Hey thats coming from the Master Gardener Class I took thru Purdue University! What I said is exactly what they told us.

10/23/2006 7:06:37 AM

Montoursville, PA

Goes to show you Mikkal that no one source is neccessarily correct on everything it prints. I was to a Master Gardener taught compost meeting. A number of things they said were absolutely incorrect. The total presentation was fine. Most who get serious will also read more for themselves. The two wrongs would only be understood by a few people. Knowledge that does not get used can cause no harm. Had you researched this site you would have understood that the common judgement is to not use the walnut leaves.

I do not worry about a few leaves drifting in but I will not rake up a pile of walnut leaves and dump them all at one place.

10/23/2006 2:38:03 PM

Alex, IN

Thanks for saying that Doc, thats what I wanted to say just could'nt get the words. Sorry about saying they were perfectly fine to use, I should have chosen different wording. Thanks!

Mikkal

10/23/2006 8:10:04 PM

ordinary,VA

Hi Mark! thanks for the email!

10/23/2006 8:36:23 PM