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It’s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they’re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.

Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.

It’s often not necessary to clean up rocks before you sell or donate them, although it’s a nice gesture. Cleaning the rocks you’re getting rid of probably isn’t worthwhile if you’re selling a large volume of small rocks, but if you’re selling or donating large boulders for landscape design, a quick clean might fetch more money or help out the donation center.

While a river may seem safer than the street, blowing leaves into the water can cause a lot of problems. Leaves can alter the local ecosystem, encourage bad algae growth and block narrow waterways. In large numbers, leaf debris can lead to fish death events in nearby bays or lakes and require expensive dredging to address. That’s why many cities also ban blowing leaves into water.

The time it takes for leaves to decompose can range from six months to three years. Key factors influencing the decomposition rate include water, sunlight, and heat, so local weather conditions play a significant role. Decomposition will take longer for thick, matted layers of leaves. To speed up the process, you can mulch the leaves, as smaller pieces break down faster. Spreading large piles into thinner layers to increase exposure to sunlight and water also helps accelerate decomposition.