You'll find a current discussion on this issue running over on the Soil, Compost & Mulch forum. It's title is "what plant NOT to mulch with leaves". There are also many other prior discussion there on proper use of mulches of all kinds.

One thing you will read about there is that any mulch that was wet or has gotten wet while stored in plastic bags can turn anaerobic and so potentially damaging. It needs to dry out well first.

Dave

Thanks Dave! I read through the thread you recommended, and have been perusing various discussions on mulches these last weeks. The SCM forum is very interesting, but it's all so new to me that I'm embarrassed to admit I don't really know where to begin... Someone mentioned that sugar maple leaves can cause problems to more sensitive plants? Are tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers particularily sensitive as plants go? Also, how can I tell if my leaves have turned anaerobic? Would they smell pungent? If they have turned anaerobic, in what ways are they potentially damaging? Too acidic, perhaps? Would they be safe to use on my little "farm" once I've given them a chance to fully dry out? I apologize for all the questions, but there is so much to learn! Thanks again for your time...

Some varieties of leaves, if left whole and used around delicate plants will mat down and suffocate roots. Plus they will retain soil moisture very well so anything that prefers dry soil such as succulents shouldn't be mulched too heavily with them.

If shredded first - no problem. The don't bother tomatoes or peppers or any of the larger variety flowers.

Anaerobic compost - no matter it's contents - will be smelly/stinky and the damage is from the anaerobic bacteria growing within. Once aired out well those bacteria cannot survive so the product is then safe to use. When using long term storage in plastic it is best to make sure it is very dry first and left open to the air.

In general all leaves are safe to use (with the possible exception of black walnut and they are fine in small doses mixed) and quite beneficial as a mulch. Shredded works better but isn't required and if they can be mixed with other ingredients to decompose in place so much the better. ;)

Dave

I've read that RED LEAF maples, used while they are still red, act as a natural herbicide, but I haven't seen any warnings about sugar maple mulch (but they do have a lot of beneficial minerals). When the red leaves turn brown, they are apparently safe to use as mulch, as the anthocyanin they contain breaks down.

If you want to shred your leaves, just make a row of them in front of your closed garage door or solid fence, and run over them with your lawnmower (I prefer the power push type). Just make sure you go in one direction: so the blower is throwing the leaves against the wall. Then just rake up all the mulched leaves and use them. Of course, if you have a bagger, just use that.

Heed David's advice about wet leaves.

Sue

Well, I think I can safely say I know what anaerobic compost smells like now ;) But I lucked out and managed to get a truckful of recently topped trees from a coworker for free. Now that smells good!! Thanks again for the advice regarding the leaves!