Leaf Litter? Can We Come Up With a Better Word?

[GlennButler]

We all know about the tree vs. turf conflicts and the difficulties in convincing clients to reduce turf under trees and mulch as widely as practical.

I suggest the problem is even revealed by our language usage. We know that the breakdown of fallen leaves will improve soil structure and soil fertility. We know that trees’ fine root density increases when the root zone is properly mulched, especially when contrasted with a root zone buried below thick turf grass. But when we speak of fallen tree leaves, twigs, or fruits, we generally refer to the material as tree litter. Or worse, debris!

In normal everyday usage, the words litter and debris have negative connotations—with synonyms like rubbish, trash, dregs and detritus.

Do we have a better choice? Do arborists need to coin a new word, with positive connotations?

 

[RopeShield]

Organic matter

 

[treehumper]

One of the problems is the literature out there that recommends removal of this layer as part of the control of pests. In what form is it going to be most beneficial and not enable the overwintering of pests?

 

[GlennButler]

Ropeshield,

I think saying "organic leaf litter" is an improvement, but it still doesn't remove the negative connotations of the word "litter".

"Organic matter" is certainly accurate, but seems too ambiguous. For many people, I think it indicates they either need to do some composting or they need to purchase something in a shiny plastic bag.

As we know, the average client is not well-versed in ecology. They view any shed parts of a tree as something to be collected, transported, and discarded.

I'm just tossing this idea out there to see if anyone has a fresh approach to educating clients on this organic matter.

It's surprisingly difficult to convince the average citizen that nature has already devised a handy solution.

 

[frashdog]

It is called "'Parent' litter material"
I have a BA(4 year) in environmental science, I read about this some where.

What is the forest floor comprised of?

Nature figured it out all ready, let us not try to re invent the wheel. Although we can improve upon the grand design. It makes nothing, but unarguable sense... then add in de-turfing the competitive drip zone and mulching it with the chipped parent material. Kaching?

 

[MisterSir]

Pixie dust

 

[RopeShield]

returning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matter
whence it came.

I say also" to maintain all the levels of decay" to ensure soil fertility and maintain all micro and macro flora and fauna.

Most get it but some just want to get rid of it.

People just need to know that they are paying us to remove the most valuable ingredient of a healthy environment.

Good point point Treehumper about the enabling of pests.
My experience is it is futile to remove future sources of inoculum or pests since the neighbouring properties are not and compound that with most of my work in the urban environment consisting of low diverstiy. You have to remember a healthy enviroment is unsanitary.
The cleaner we try to make it the less hospitable it becomes to the beneficials.
Just my opinion based on recent reports and observations from agriculture, allergies in disease in humans and the natural order mother nature presents to us daily.

 

[boreality]

In silvaculture we called it duff, doh, not like the beer. Homeowners call it gutter clutter.

 

[guymayor]

Glenn, good question. Natural Nutrient Cycling.

Root Food.

Free Mulch.

re diseases, only a few are in this conversation, and chopping them up with the mower mitigates that.

 

[DanielSon]

[ QUOTE ]
Glenn, good question. Natural Nutrient Cycling.

Root Food.

Free Mulch.

re diseases, only a few are in this conversation, and chopping them up with the mower mitigates that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like this one...

Better yet... FreeMulch.AboutTrees.com...

Yall should try it... It'll save you money and save the trees!

 

[TreeCo]

I don't think what we call it will make much difference. What needs changing is the belief that where we live and grow our plants needs to be maintained like the carpet in a five star motel to be upper class. Seems the Atlanta area is full up with lawn worshipers.

 

[RopeShield]

You can politely make them feel stupid if they prescribe to lawn worship.
Pay $ CUT IT = LOSE MONEY
PAY $ FERTILIZE WATER CULTIVATE = LOSE MONEY
PAY $ TO MAINTAIN TREES NEGATIVELY AFFECTED/EFFECTED BY TURF=LOOSE MORE MONEY and increasing liabilities

OR
Return the om and increase the tangible and intangible value to their properties with well maintained trees.

trees over Turf is a no brainer and trying to satisfy the need for lawn for the obvious reasons is the tricky bit.

Shoot for a meter or two out from the dripline and hopefully you get the dripline

 

[Merle Nelson]

I don’t have any catchy words or phrases to offer. But, I once took a marketing class that I thought was very good. To get across the value and usefulness of marketing the instructor said, “You don’t think the drug pusher down on the corner is marketing to your kids? If you’re a parent you better be doing a better job of marketing everyday than he is.”

If you don’t think that a single word or a phrase is marketing to yourself and others next time you come in and sit down to a wonderful meal your wife made say, “I’ve got a wonderful old lady.” Or start telling your customers that your a, “Tree cutter.”

 

[Frax]

This is a very good point. I haven't thought about it before. I talk about leaves a lot and their role after falling to clients and when I'm leading courses.

I don't have a special term for them. I just call them fallen leaves.

 

[Frax]

Have a read.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/25/nyr...?pagewanted=all

 

[Merle Nelson]

Great supportive article.

 

[GlennButler]

Frax,

I read the article you linked to and thought the comments were interesting. After reading almost 300 comments, of which the overwhelming majority were in favor of mowing and mulching, I think the following is a reasonable summary. (These aren't my thoughts but a summary of the comments)

Concerns:
• tannins in oak leaves raising the pH
• overwintering pests and diseases
• killing the grass

Benefits:
• Reduces the need for leaf blowing
• Less noise pollution from blowers
• Reduced taxes and fossil fuel emissions from collecting and transporting leaves
• Replenishes nutrients in the soil

Here's one misguided comment

"Mulching autumn leaves into your lawn is a terrible idea. It chokes the grass and builds the thatch layer (not good). Since the leaves are already dead, they do not decompose and provide nutrients to your lawn. Might as well shread cardboard on your lawn. We enjoy raking, bagging, and letting the trash man take them away. I do my best to help the environment, but there's nothing like a lovely green lawn - just beautiful."

One commenter referred to fallen leaves as "brown gold".

Could we introduce "windfall" into our arboreal lexicon? It certainly has positive connotations, being defined as something blown down by the wind and also as good fortune. A "windfall of fertilizer" perhaps?

Could the word "manna" be of any use?

Guy, I like "natural nutrient cycling" and "free mulch". I can see where "root food" would have value and obviously the fertilizer companies have adopted that marketing angle. But I personally would like to avoid the fertilizer as food myth if at all possible.

 

[Frax]

I wrote on this same topic last month for the paper.

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/?s=leaves&submit=Search

 

[tomthetreeman]

As usual, great stuff, Nora. I have been 'keeping' my leaves for years in garden beds and mulched right into the lawn. Unfortunately, my neighbors don't get it. Some of them would vacuum their lawns if they could.

-Tom