What types of leaves can be used for humus: guides from experienced gardeners
There is a widespread belief among summer residents that leaves from any tree species can be used to produce leaf humus.
An expert of the online publication Belnovosti, agronomist, and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh agrees with this statement only partially.
Indeed, it is possible to obtain high-quality fertilizer using fallen leaves from perhaps any tree, but the decomposition time of the biomass will differ.
Thus, the leaves that have fallen from the branches of oak, birch, maple, rowan, hawthorn, as well as hazel and hornbeam will most quickly turn into useful fertilizer.
If all conditions are met, this process will take about a year.
Leaves that were "mined" from evergreen trees take much longer to decompose.
In this case, the humus will be ready only after two or even three years. The same rule applies to pine needles.
However, the decomposition of coniferous leaves can be somewhat accelerated. To do this, you will need to pre-grind them using a shredder, garden vacuum cleaner or lawn mower.
