leaves from last fall - Ask Extension
Hi, I left the leaves from the large tulip tree in our back yard, on the ground at base of tree and under a row of rhodies.
Should I clean them out,o...
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leaves from last fall #926591
Asked March 23, 2026, 3:10 PM EDT
Hi, I left the leaves from the large tulip tree in our back yard, on the ground at base of tree and under a row of rhodies.
Should I clean them out,orl leave them to rot. I did not shred them.?
Thanks
Steve Katz
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Steve,
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
I searched on "tulip tree" and found two species that may be called that common name. They are Liriodendron tulipifera
and the other is Magnolia liliiflora I'm guessing it's the former that you have.
In Wikipedia Liriodendron tulipifera - Wikipedia it states that the leaves don't contain a lot of lignin so they should break down relatively quickly. I would probably leave the leaves, since as they decompose microbial activity is supported.
I would have tried to shred the leaves in the fall but they are probably too wet to shred now. If you feel the leaves are not decomposing fast enough then I would use the lawn mower to shred the leaves in the summer after they have dried out.
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
I searched on "tulip tree" and found two species that may be called that common name. They are Liriodendron tulipifera
and the other is Magnolia liliiflora I'm guessing it's the former that you have.
In Wikipedia Liriodendron tulipifera - Wikipedia it states that the leaves don't contain a lot of lignin so they should break down relatively quickly. I would probably leave the leaves, since as they decompose microbial activity is supported.
I would have tried to shred the leaves in the fall but they are probably too wet to shred now. If you feel the leaves are not decomposing fast enough then I would use the lawn mower to shred the leaves in the summer after they have dried out.
