Collecting natural forest leaf mould

[Raybon]

Am wondering if it is legal/ethical to collect natural leaf mould from our forests?
Drove through Kent today and could see prolific amounts, already rotted down, and wondered what the consequences would be if I gathered some! Very tempted.......so much of it!
Applied some of my own to beds this year and have had the best results ever (heavy clay soil!)

[veggiechicken]

Probably neither legal, ethical or ecologically friendly. All land belongs to someone so technically, I suppose, it would be theft

[Raybon]

Yes. I thought that might be the answer. Sigh!

[crucy86]

I think you also have to be careful about moving leaves etc as you could be spreading disease.

Be nice to have access to all those leaves! I would need a bigger leaf mould pen!


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[Bill HH]

Well people pick blackberries, mushrooms, sea weed and all manner of things, I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for stealing leaves, its hardly the great train robbery. Providing you don't do it on an industrial scale I cant see any problem. Neither would I take too much from one place, the trees need it too. "Leaf thief strikes in Epping forest"? Not going to happen.

[PyreneesPlot]

I suspect leaf mould is like peat in that it develops so slowly naturally that even removing a small amount would have an impact on that bit of woodland.
We are surrounded by managed broad leaf woodland but when I had a little furtle in our patch - hoping to improve my soil for free, too - there was very little leaf mould built up.

[taff]

Gather it from any trees on council/common land where the grass is cut regularly.

[Two_Sheds]

Am wondering if it is legal/ethical to collect natural leaf mould from our forests?

absolutely not.

Collect it from pavements and cycle paths, where fallen leaves are a hazard and a nuisance

[snakeshack]

.

Collect it from pavements and cycle paths, where fallen leaves are a hazard and a nuisance

Or do what i do
1.wait for leaves to fall
2. Wait for council to sweep them up and bag them
3.take the back seats out of the car and drive round with one of my boys picking them up
4..drop off on the allotment in leaf cage
5.repeat from 3 until cage full


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[Raybon]

.........trouble is, leaves collected from public places (I.e. Streets and urban cycle paths) will have heavy pollution potential from petrol fumes. Not the best........

[snakeshack]

.........trouble is, leaves collected from public places (I.e. Streets and urban cycle paths) will have heavy pollution potential from petrol fumes. Not the best........

Not so much of a problem now there is no lead in the petrol and they are free ( and bagged for easy removal)


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[Raybon]

Point taken re. lead in petrol.....but if you look up 'Diesel Particulates' it's a bit scary. I guess not so bad away from main roads?

[Bill HH]

Particulates smiculates! Spent most of my life behind a tractor that belched out black smoke. By the time scientists have finished it wont feel safe to get out of bed.

[Raybon]

Diesel schmiezel! Why were you BEHIND the tractor?

[Bill HH]

Ok ok. Sat on the tractor inches from the exhaust.