"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" writes

"K" wrote in message
...
Jim Paterson writes

Leaves should be kept separate to be used as leafmould when ready. ( They
rot down by fungal action as opposed to the composting process which uses
bacterial action) Having said that, a FEW leaves won't hurt. hth

I've never really understood this. Why should tree leaves rot down any
differently from grass leaves or weed leaves or cabbage leaves?

Or is it that leaves in quantity settle into a soggy mass that isn't
aerated enough for the bacterial action?
--

My unscientific explanation is that green tree leaves compost fine but once
they are dry and dead bacterial composting is slow because the leaves are
woody.

Woody???
Or do you mean, in effect, that a lot of the soft wet matter has
disappeared and you're left with basically the cell walls?

Wood does not tend to be subject to bacterial decay (thankfully) and
decays by fungal action.
The exception to this are the wet soggy leaves of common maples which seem
to vanish in a traditional heap.
Come on someone give a proper scientific explanation.



--
Kay