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.

B次元官网网址淎 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.B次元官网网址�

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 theyB次元官网网址檙e really good at not touching the ground,B次元官网网址� Sharp said. B次元官网网址淚f theyB次元官网网址檙e not touching the soil theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to decompose.B次元官网网址�

When in doubt, mulch.

B次元官网网址淩un them over with the lawnmower, that breaks them up into tiny pieces and they fall down between the blades of grass,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also way less work than raking and hauling to the roadway.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渄epending on what you value in your landscape.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渋t looks bad but itB次元官网网址檚 also hurting the plant.B次元官网网址�

The south Island is also prone to powdery mildew on maples and certain shrubs.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to rake up those leaves and put them out for collection or in the green bin, not composting on the property,B次元官网网址� Sharp said. B次元官网网址淪ome people like to do that with all of their leaves.B次元官网网址�

However, folks looking for that tidiness in landscaping could be hindering tree health.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e removing all the nutrients that the tree pulled from the soil to grow those leaves,B次元官网网址� Sharp said. B次元官网网址淚f you do it again and again and again for decadesB次元官网网址� you can end up with depleted soil. Depleted soil is one of the biggest causes of tree stress in urban areas.B次元官网网址�

So those who rake for esthetics should consider alternative health supplements for their trees and shrubs B次元官网网址� though Sharp personally, vehemently, prefers the natural method of mulching.