Events for gardeners and for meat processors. More Information on topics in this week's features. Without a single tree in your yard, you can still be blessed with massive numbers of leaves. Leaves' journey Fallen leaves can either travel miles or disintegrate within a few feet of their tree. The more surface area and the lighter a leaf's weight, the greater its chance of blowing far away.
Leaves start their journey as life slowly ebbs away in the fall.
The leaf stem contains strong, woody connections between leaf and trunk. Wind, rain or animals can snap off these connections. When they break, the leaves fall. A leaf's initial drop from the tree is when it has the greatest chance of traveling the farthest. On dry, windy days, leaves can swirl and sail hundreds of yards.