The “false” autumn, in which the leaves went brown in August, was caused by the hot, dry weather, and the autumn colors will be different in the following weeks.
Due to the summer heatwave, the National Trust predicts very different autumn this year, with more golden browns and yellows on the trees.
National Trust senior national gardens and parks consultant Pamela Smith stated: “Regarding the typical autumn cycle, it remains to be seen what the drought and high temperatures could mean for this year’s autumn colors, but we may see more golden browns and yellows as a result, and this year’s display could be quite exceptional.
“Biologically, long daylight hours are required, as well as the right combination of sunlight and rain – and hopefully, trees were able to store plenty of sugars during the spring and early summer, so that the high temperatures had little effect – and only trees already under stress will be affected.
It is possible that well-established trees will be more resilient and that we will continue to witness the whole spectrum of colors, but this year is a message to us all that what we have previously taken for granted may be at risk.
The colors of autumn are determined by both annual weather patterns and short-term variations in sunshine and precipitation.
Ms. Smith stated that during the following two weeks it would be ideal to have sunshine, rain, no high winds, and temperatures beginning to drop.
Typically, temperatures begin to fall first in the northern hemisphere, providing the earliest indication of the quality of this year’s autumn colors.
Impacts of climate change and heat waves on native trees over the long run
By 2025, the government aims to plant 30,000 hectares of new trees annually.
However, planting has been sluggish: 13,700 hectares were planted in 2019-20, 13,300 hectares in 2020-21, and 13,800 hectares in 2021-22.
John Deakin, National Trust’s head of trees and woodlands, stated: “Especially our oldest trees, which have endured centuries of storms, droughts, and winter frosts, trees are incredibly resilient, which is why it is crucial to preserve our ancient and veteran trees as they age and become more susceptible to sudden change…
Likely, we won’t know the full impact of this summer’s temperatures until next spring, when their ability to sprout new life may be hindered if they failed to store enough carbohydrates in their roots during the summer.
Some trees will be more resistant to harsh weather conditions than others.
National Trust trees and forests advisor Luke Barley stated: “Young trees have not had the opportunity to properly grow, and as a result, they lack the root structure and mass necessary to resist drought.
“We’ve also discovered that trees that have evolved through natural colonization are thriving. This is because, upon germination, self-seeding plants create robust root systems.”
