I'm glad to know I'm not the only one confused by the leaves! It wasn't all the leaves, just some of the leaves on a few trees grouped together in the easement. Another aspen around the corner didn't have any. I'll have to look and see what I can find too.
HAHAHAHAHA the xeriscaping. I have seen some pretty xeriscaped areas, though! I just don't get it when people cover the area with rocks, throw in one cactus or grass plant and call that xeriscaped. 😂