Southern Magnolia leaves

[islandmanmitch]

Has anyone used Southern Magnolia leaves in compose or for mulch? I have always used Live Oak leaves but I have loads of these big leaves that I have always burned.

 

[poppycat]

They compost slooooowly, because they're so thick and waxy. I've put some in the compost before and the did break down, just not as fast as I'd like. I had thought about trying to shred them but it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

They could make a decent mulch depending on where you wanted them. I probably wouldn't use them in my vegetable garden but they might work under some shrubs or in a wooded area.