Raking: Do U Do It?

[Aliantha]

We have a particular type of tree in our yard (a number of them) that shed leaves or flowers or seed pods at different times of the year. They're great for shade in the summer, and because they've got no leaves in winter, it makes the area they cover a bit warmer because they let the sun in, but the shedding shits me off. It's a poinsiana. I'm thinking about pulling them out, but it'll be a huge job. They're quite large.

As to raking. Yes I do it, mainly because these stupid trees shed over our concreted areas which we like to use for things like BBQ'ing and so on. I wouldn't if we didn't use the area though. Grass doesn't usually grow well under these trees anyway because the foliage is too dense in summer, and in winter there's too much crap on the ground from the leaves and old twigs.