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The least strenuous methods to get rid of leaves are to use a leaf blower, leaf vacuum, or a lawn mower, since these machines will do most of the work. 

Although palm trees are self-pruning and will eventually remove their own brown leaves with new growth, there are a couple of instances when you might still want to go ahead and do the work yourself. For example, remove brown palm leaves if you live in an area with a greater risk of wildfires or if the leaves obstruct your pathway. But as long as the leaves pose no safety hazards, you don’t have to worry about pruning them.

The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.

Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.

You can leave grass clippings on the lawn, depending on their length. You don’t want to completely cover new grass and block it from sunlight, or encourage moss crowd out the more delicate grass. However, short clippings are usually fine to leave on the lawn. In some cases, they can be beneficial: Clippings can be a source of fertilizer and help protect the ground as young grass blades develop.