Considerations

Once leaves drop from the trees, they immediately start to dry out. When they are left on the ground, they begin to decompose. While this is good for the soil nutrients, it blocks the sun's rays and can kill grass as a result. Removing them before the grass dies is ideal. Wet leaves also pose a slip-and-fall hazard for guests on the front walk. Anyone parking on a driveway or walking across a yard full of them is at risk of tripping on hidden holes and uneven surfaces, as well.

Methods

There are two ways of removing leaves from the ground; manually and with a powered leaf blower. Raking by hand is time-consuming and labor intensive. It takes a while to corral all leaves into one area. Using a rake with a wooden handle can create splinters and causes trouble for those with carpal tunnel syndrome. Motorized leaf blowers reduce the amount of time it takes to funnel them into one area, regardless of how spread out they are or how deep they are. Using a sweeping motion, they can be directed into one area. With practice and experience, this can be done with swift precision.

Types

Leaf blowers come in handheld and backpack models. Depending on the model and manufacturer, backpacks may have features such as back rests and shoulder straps and special locking devices for tools. Low noise blowers are also neighbor, city ordinance and environmentally friendly. They are most commonly powered by gasoline, but are also available in electric and cordless models.

Purpose

Leaf blowers can be used for more than just disposing of leaves. They are also helpful for blowing grass clippings and other yard debris. Small cuttings from bushes after using hedge trimmers at various locations all over the yard are also easily corralled into piles. For those with pine trees, needles and pine cones drop just as often as regular leaves. Once pine needles dry out and become coarse and brown, they can be blown into flower beds or around tree trunks to serve as pine straw mulch. This is especially helpful for plants that thrive in acidic soil. Pine cones can be blown out of the way for someone to later mow the lawn without damaging or dulling the lawn mower blade.