Most people have it in their heads that Southern Live Oak Trees never lose their leaves. In a sense, they are evergreens...somewhat...but not really. They do drop all of their leaves within just a couple of weeks during early spring. When the Southern Live Oak Tree is the most common tree in your yard (think dozens of these huge trees) and they all drop leaves at one time, you wind up with a literal sea of leaves. For the past few weeks, we have been wading through leaves to get to the front door. By wading, I mean the leaves were at least a foot deep and in some places more. When you think of the raking that would involve, you try to find other means of disposing of the leaves. I did.
This past week found me pushing the lawnmower just to cut leaves. This was quite the undertaking as the mountains just did not want to disappear! I cut. I cut some more. Then...I cut some more. Finally, the leaves were down to a fine mulch that would sift through the fingers with ease. A lot of this mulch was hauled into the gardens where it will nourish the plants. The rest was used in the pathways.
While I am glad that the leaves near the front of the house are all mulched, there are still three sides of the yard yet to do. I figure I should be done sometime next year...just before the next dropping of foliage from the oak trees! Oh, geez! I hope not! Seriously, give me another week and all of the gardens and paths will be filled with the fine mulch provided by these trees. If I had to buy this lovely stuff, I would go broke! Why buy when it is free for the taking? I shall keep pushing that mower! Good exercise...free mulch...pretty gardens...it is a win/win situation, if you ask me.
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