It’s Leaf Blower Season

This past Saturday when we had some high winds, there were so many leaves falling it was a rain storm but with leaves. Of course we don’t have the Fall foliage that comes probably in November if there are any leaves left.

Falling leaves signifies the beginning of our Winter season which is not much compared to the yearly ice and snow up North which can mean anything from North Georgia to way up North Canada. There is a scientific name for the falling leaves, abscission, root word from Latin meaning scissors.

As colder weather begins Nature actively participates in tree survival. The trees reabsorb the chlorophyll from the leaves and store it in their roots for nutrients later. With the chlorophyll gone the leaves are left red, yellow, orange and sometimes purple colored. Then a most remarkable thing happens, a process at the end of the tree limb where the leaves are attached, special cells actually cuts off the leaf like scissors and the leaf falls to the ground, abscission.

Then, the fun begins, most leaves fall to the ground to create a protective layer which creates mulch, but those pesky leaves that fall in our yards have to be blown in big piles and either hauled to the forest or put in bags. Leaf blowers crank up early most Saturday mornings and never take a break. It is no wonder people are going deaf. What?

So, bundle up, sit on the porch with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and enjoy Nature’s show and hope the winds blow the leaves in a most opportune direction, away. Drive around a bit and see all the Fall and Halloween decorations.