Sycamore leaf litter?

[TWA]

Since it's fall I'm collecting my leaves for the year. I know that oaks are good, I've read magnolia are fine, what about sycamore?

My yard contains a large sycamore tree, and I have an abundance (bags and bags) of leaves. Is there any downside to using them? I couldn't find a good answer online.

I don't have a huge amount of magnolia, and for the first time I'll need to drive to collect oak so I'm looking to the sycamore.

Also, if magnolia leaves aren't safe that'd be nice to know, but I read somewhere they're fine and liked because they last a long time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gerald]

I have not used sycamore (since oaks are super abundant here) but I dont know any reason it would not be safe. The tiny hairs on live sycamore leaves are irritating to humans if inhaled (especially when chopping a path through a thicket of sycamore saplings) but I dont that would affect fish, and most of the hairs are gone if you're picking up dead leaves. Magnolia (grandiflora - the evergreen one) are safe BUT they release a lot of oily scum the first few days. I'd soak them in a bucket or rain barrel for a few days before using in a fish tank.

 

[TWA]

I have not used sycamore (since oaks are super abundant here) but I dont know any reason it would not be safe. The tiny hairs on live sycamore leaves are irritating to humans if inhaled (especially when chopping a path through a thicket of sycamore saplings) but I dont that would affect fish, and most of the hairs are gone if you're picking up dead leaves. Magnolia (grandiflora - the evergreen one) are safe BUT they release a lot of oily scum the first few days. I'd soak them in a bucket or rain barrel for a few days before using in a fish tank.

Sounds good, I'll test it on some other fish before throwing them in with apistos. I like how large the leaves are in comparison to the oak tree I'll get my leaves from.

I soaked the magnolia leaves in hot water for one day, I probably should have done more.. They aren't the evergreen, I live in KC, Missouri, I don't think one would survive the winter, but I can't imagine it being unsafe if those are.