Leaf drop is picking up across Gwinnett and North Fulton, and a lot of raked leaves end up in a convenient spot: piled around the base of the nearest tree. It looks tidy, but a deep, wet pile against the trunk is one of the worst places to leave them through winter.
Bark at the base of a tree is built to dry out between rains. When leaves or mulch stay packed against it for months, that bark stays damp, which can lead to decay and gives rodents and insects cover right where the trunk meets the roots. It's the same problem as a mulch volcano, just seasonal.
A thin layer of shredded leaves spread across the root zone is actually good for the tree. Just keep it a few inches off the trunk so the root flare, where the trunk widens into the roots, stays visible and dry. If you find soft, cracked, or peeling bark at the base once you clear things back, that's worth having one of our certified arborists take a look.
Where do the leaves on your property usually end up once they're raked or blown?
#TreeCare #NorthAtlanta
Authentic photo from a North Atlanta yard showing a tree base with the root flare cleared and a thin layer of shredded leaves spread across the root zone. A side-by-side with a deep leaf pile against a trunk would make the point clearly. Real job photos strongly preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Keep Leaves Off the Trunk This Winter" or "Clear the Root Flare, Spread the Leaves Thin"