Leave leaves
/Whilst I am repeating myself on an annual basis. Please follow nature. In nature the leaves from a tree fall, they then compost down in situ and boost the soil as their organuc matter is added to the soil.
It is the Soil Biology within the soil that this helps, which inturn provides nutrients and moisture for the roots through the Mycorrhizal Fungi that is attached to the roots.
If you cannot leave leaves, they can be composted and the composted leaves be used to dress the soil around the root system. If you have read about the benefits of mulch and have mulched the tree. Rake the mulch to one side, apply the leaf compost and replace the mulch.