Should I leave my fig leaves on the ground?

Yes, you are correct that the fig leaves will eventually rot and the nutrients from them will make their way into the soil.

You should monitor the health of your fig tree throughout the year and look for any disease and/or insect issues. If you see fungal spotting on leaves then you should rake up the leaves and dispose of them such as in your yard waste container. Fungal spores from infected leaves can remain over winter, and when new leaves come out in the spring, infect the leaves once more. By leaving diseased leaves on the ground under the tree over the winter, you allow disease pathogens to build up, readily infect your tree the following year, and increase the disease load over time.

A thick leaf mat under a tree can impact grass by preventing light from reaching those plants. This could lead to sparse grass the following spring and invite an invasion of weeds and moss.

Additionally, slugs are one of the decomposers that love dead plant materials. Slugs use dead plant residues to hide, and they also provide food for them. Some insects that attack plants, such as earwigs, could also benefit from having a place to hide and overwinter under or within a dead leaf pile.

If you have been not picking up the leaves and have not had any disease or insect issues, you can continue your current practice. However, if you have a disease or insect outbreak down the road, you may want to rethink your fall/winter clean-up routine.

Author Bio

Kym Pokorny, Communications Specialist for Oregon State University

Public Service Communications Specialist