I have noticed the first leaves have begun to fall. In my yard, it is always the ash that falls first and it’s probably just as well because the ash does not participate in the color show like the maple, oak or cherry trees. The leaves just turn brown, shrivel and fall.

The dogwood will be next. It’s already begun to turn red and the squirrels have been busy dropping the remains of the bright red berries across the deck. The peak colors of fall foliage usually arrive in our region in mid-October.

When the nights get longer and cooler, trees begin to gradually shut down for the winter. Their sap thickens so it does not freeze when the temperature drops. The chlorophyll that makes leaves green in the spring and summer ceases production and the carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments present in the leaves is what makes them the gorgeous yellows, oranges and reds that we have come to expect every fall.

With the sap thickened, the leaves’ veins get clogged and eventually the sugar saturated leaf will fall gently to the ground along with thousands of others.

Many communities have curbside pick-up and all the homeowner has to do is rake or blow the leaves to the specified location. This can pose a problem as many of these leaves will not be picked up for some time. In the meantime, hooligans will drive through them and the wind will carry some away into storm sewers and you might find yourself raking and blowing them several times before the trusty municipal worker arrives.

Municipal pick-up requires trucks and fuel and can be costly to cities and towns, resulting in higher rates in the city services we already pay for.

Instead of raking or blowing, consider mowing them. Most lawn mowers and tractors will mulch the leaves into dime-size pieces that will feed your lawn as they decompose. Mulched leaves also provide worms and microbes with a source of food that when digested, will benefit your lawn as well.

Another way to mulch leaves that can then be used in the garden as a soil amendment or as low cost mulch is a chipper-shredder. With only the one-time cost to purchase this handy tool, landowners with trees will appreciate the convenience of being able to mutilate leaves and branches that can be reused elsewhere in the yard.

Leaves compost well when combined with green organic material. Leaves are considered brown organic material. Throw some leaves in your compost pile. Mulched leaves work best. If you don’t have a compost pile, now is a terrific time to start one. Despite what some people think, compost doesn’t smell or attract critters if properly maintained.

Regardless of how you choose to deal with fall’s leaves, you should not let them lay where they fall unless you live in a forest. Leaf maintenance requires some work. Leaves can be slippery when they get wet and if left on your lawn, they can do more harm than good.

Although we can get a chuckle at the thought of our leaves blowing into the neighbor’s yard, this is rude and thoughtless. Leaf management is nearly impossible for some because of health problems or disabilities. Offer to assist neighbors with their leaf management or send the kids over to do it. The fresh air will do them good and there is much to be said about helping a neighbor in need.

Burning leaves should never be an option. The visible smoke from leaf burning is composed of tiny particles that contain a number of pollutants. If inhaled, these microscopic particles can reach the deepest regions of the lung and remain there for months or even years. Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs’ ability to use that air. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks in some people.

There is still time to decide on the best method of leaf management. Fall has yet to amaze you with her colors that will certainly serve as a reward for the work yet to come.