Did you know that most species of butterflies and moths overwinter as eggs on fallen leaves? By bagging or shredding your leaves, you are removing next spring’s crop of caterpillars and moths. Less spring caterpillars means hungry baby birds that fail to thrive. Bumblebees die off at the end of every season, except the queen. The mated bumblebee queens rely on leaf litter for protection over the winter. Box Turtles and salamanders also rely on leaf litter for winter shelter. Both the National Wildlife Federation and the Xerces Society are asking homeowners to Leave the Leaves to provide critical winter habitat for wildlife.
Leaving the leaves at my place is an honored tradition! If your neighbors are not as tolerant, try making a pile in the corner somewhere, or at least leave a good covering under any trees.
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