# An autumnal dilemma

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 10, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994 "2022-10-10T03:27:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994/41 "2022-10-12T00:41:43Z")

</div>

> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> More serious answer: fallen leaves provide shelter and food for countless species of small and tiny critters, whose role in our ecosystems is unknown to most. Leave them be, sez I. They’re part of nature, sez I.

> [@Kropotkin](#):
>
> The ales have it.

You two have convinced me with your impeccable logic. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994/42 "2022-10-12T00:42:24Z")

</div>

> [@AlsoNamedBort](#):
>
> M problem is that I’ve found decomposing leaves provide food for millions of swarming gnats that make my outdoor space unbearable.

We don’t have gnats in my neck of the woods. Even if we did, they will soon be covered in snow.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994/43 "2022-10-24T09:48:28Z")

</div>

And the dilemma is resolved. The first blizzard of the winter has arrived, covering the leaves in snow.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-autumnal-dilemma/972994.md?page=2)