Your tree leaves will have about 3 times as much Nitrogen in them as straw does. Straw will have around 0.55 percent N while tree leaves will have something in the area of 1.5 percent. Tree leaves also will have more other nutrients then straw would.

Here is a link that might be useful: N in tree leaves

IMO, leaves are way better.

Here is a link to a study by Rutgers, clip on the 'download PDF'.

Here is a similar study for grass clippings.

Lloyd

Leaves win!!!!!!!!!!

Leaves - They tend to also have additional minerals. For example, dogwood and hop hornbeam have fairly high calcium levels in their leaves - A good way to return calcium into the soil naturally.

Good info jimbobfeeny.

What kind of straw?

It's common yellow straw, I guess that is wheat straw. I don't mean pine straw. Although it's early in the leaf season,I have gotten some already but they are the thinner types so far. From the link Kimmser posted, I am lucky to have 2 Chestnut oaks and lots of other oaks, but til mine get big I collect leaves elsewhere. Thanks, I can use the straw to insulate some plants for winter.

I let my neighbors fill bags for me. They leave them at the curb for the garbage man to take. But I get to them first. I am picky and take plastic bags filled with chopped leaves. I can then store them outside until I am ready to use them.

I just mowed, collected all the leaves under my 12 big water oak trees. The leaves are long & slim like finger, every easy to cut with a mower. I had to remove them so I could collect the new leaves as they fall.
I got 5 50 gallon drums full & will mulch my winter vegetables with them. I hope to get twice that many new leaves when they fall.

I was able to get some chipped maple leaves and limbs yesterday and today, also some grass and leaves mixed. I am going to put a little around some young trees, not too close to the trunks. I am waiting on those oak leaves. My compost tumblers ( yes I bought 2 of the compost Tumblers ) are nearly full. I have covered some veggie beds with maple leaves and grass, sorry if I'm boring y'all. Anyway, Waiting for the oaks to shed, it has been a little too warm so far.

"boring y'all" are you kidding some of us love composting & growing plants!

poaky, If they are making composting windrows, can you get the finished product there?

They made windrows last year, and they have an area where the old (done) compost is, but my car can't access it without undercar damage. If you have a truck with 4x4, probably. I am hoping that once the giant mixed heap that is there now cooks down, that they make some windrows and let them cook a bit before moving them. There is no manure in the mix. It is grass, leaves and wood chips. I guess grass is green manure? I am the only person that I've ever known to take anything away though, everyone dumps their stuff and leaves. Several years ago I got a load delivered of the older stuff. I tried to get it again and the guy that delivered it for me never called me back and avoided me when I tried to ask him to bring a load. I don't know what his deal is, so I just haul what I can myself in big plastic bins in my hatchback.