Using leaves from the County park

halleone · November 10, 2011

I've been scared away from using our municipal compost because of a probable herbicide contamination a few years back. This is horse country here, but the possible aminopyrilide contamination is something I don't even want to think about, so adding manure for a soil amendment is also out. I don't have enough trees to provide me with enough leaves for working into the soil this fall; I can go rake up what I need at the county park. They do use Roundup around the base of the trees occasionally, and this year they sprayed a couple of areas with a weed killer of some sort to kill off the dandelions.

Would the tree leaves be OK to use - would the trees have sucked up the weed killer such that the leaves might be "toxic" to my garden?

recruiterg · November 10, 2011

I am not a scientist, but I would guess it would be highly unlikely that the tree leaves would be contaminated in any way. You should be able to use them without any problems.

fortyonenorth · November 10, 2011

I would compost them first. Depending on the type of tree, this could be a two year process - a year if you shred them first. Compost them alone, rather than in your "general" compost pile.

RayR · November 10, 2011

There have been many reports out there of tree damage caused by Roundup, young trees are most susceptible because of their thin bark, but it can enter at the base of any tree if sprayed on the root flares or suckers. Read here
Monsanto says it won't enter through the roots because glyphosate is immobile in soil—how true that is I don't know.
There probably isn't enough contamination in the leaves of large trees to be overly concerned about, but the good news is bacteria are able to mitigate glyphosate, so composting like fortyonenorth recommends would be the safe way to go.

bobberman · December 9, 2011

Most city dumps collect leaves from the streets and give them free or for very little. When I take a load of used carpet to the dump I get a pick up of leaves and catter it all over. The only thing I worry about is the road oil and cigerett butts!I have not had a problem yet! Should I worry?

ContainerTed · December 9, 2011

Take care NOT to use the leaves from Walnut, Bitter Hickory, Sweetgum, and some others. They contain "JUGLONE", a chemical the tree produces. It will kill tomato plants and some other garden veggies.

Google "Walnut Wilt" or "Juglone" and get yourself informed before adding leaves to your tomato patch soil. Juglone takes 10-15 years to leave the soil once its in there.

Here's a couple links:

http://www.plantpath.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=581

http://www.tomatodirt.com/walnut-wilt.html

bobberman · December 9, 2011

Does that hold true to plant near small walnut trees! How about black walnut shells and the green shells should they be used in the compost or not? I have a chestnut tree and I get those leaves are those bad too? Thanks for the notice I will watch!

ContainerTed · December 9, 2011

Bobberman, I strongly recommend you read the info at the links above. Everyone who raises tomatoes needs to know what can cause crops to fail.
Yes, any and all parts of walnut trees contain juglone. The fine roots the trees put out all underneath the drip line will saturate the soil with juglone. NEVER put any part of the trees that have juglone into your compost. Juglone DOES NOT break down in the heat of the composting process.

Leaves, nut shells, green outer shells, bark, walnut wood sawdust, root fibers, the soil under the walnut trees, and any moisture collected that has had contact with any of the above ALL WILL BE VERY BAD for your tomato patch.

bobberman · December 9, 2011

I did read it and will get rid of all black walnut products! Thanks!

November 10, 2011	#1
halleone Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Walla Walla, Washington Posts: 360	Using leaves from the County park I've been scared away from using our municipal compost because of a probable herbicide contamination a few years back. This is horse country here, but the possible aminopyrilide contamination is something I don't even want to think about, so adding manure for a soil amendment is also out. I don't have enough trees to provide me with enough leaves for working into the soil this fall; I can go rake up what I need at the county park. They do use Roundup around the base of the trees occasionally, and this year they sprayed a couple of areas with a weed killer of some sort to kill off the dandelions. Would the tree leaves be OK to use - would the trees have sucked up the weed killer such that the leaves might be "toxic" to my garden?

December 9, 2011	#6
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Take care NOT to use the leaves from Walnut, Bitter Hickory, Sweetgum, and some others. They contain "JUGLONE", a chemical the tree produces. It will kill tomato plants and some other garden veggies. Google "Walnut Wilt" or "Juglone" and get yourself informed before adding leaves to your tomato patch soil. Juglone takes 10-15 years to leave the soil once its in there. Here's a couple links: http://www.plantpath.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=581 http://www.tomatodirt.com/walnut-wilt.html __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; December 9, 2011 at 10:49 AM. Reason: add links

December 9, 2011	#8
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Bobberman, I strongly recommend you read the info at the links above. Everyone who raises tomatoes needs to know what can cause crops to fail. Yes, any and all parts of walnut trees contain juglone. The fine roots the trees put out all underneath the drip line will saturate the soil with juglone. NEVER put any part of the trees that have juglone into your compost. Juglone DOES NOT break down in the heat of the composting process. Leaves, nut shells, green outer shells, bark, walnut wood sawdust, root fibers, the soil under the walnut trees, and any moisture collected that has had contact with any of the above ALL WILL BE VERY BAD for your tomato patch. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

November 10, 2011	#2
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	I am not a scientist, but I would guess it would be highly unlikely that the tree leaves would be contaminated in any way. You should be able to use them without any problems.

November 10, 2011	#3
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	I would compost them first. Depending on the type of tree, this could be a two year process - a year if you shred them first. Compost them alone, rather than in your "general" compost pile.

November 10, 2011	#4
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	There have been many reports out there of tree damage caused by Roundup, young trees are most susceptible because of their thin bark, but it can enter at the base of any tree if sprayed on the root flares or suckers. Read here Monsanto says it won't enter through the roots because glyphosate is immobile in soil—how true that is I don't know. There probably isn't enough contamination in the leaves of large trees to be overly concerned about, but the good news is bacteria are able to mitigate glyphosate, so composting like fortyonenorth recommends would be the safe way to go.

December 9, 2011	#5
bobberman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Latrobe Pa. Posts: 142	Most city dumps collect leaves from the streets and give them free or for very little. When I take a load of used carpet to the dump I get a pick up of leaves and catter it all over. The only thing I worry about is the road oil and cigerett butts!I have not had a problem yet! Should I worry?