National Trust says autumn colour could be ‘mixed bag’ after wet year

Trees are hanging on to their leaves for longer across the land cared for by the conservation charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it said.

It comes after the UK experienced a volatile year of weather with a wetter spring and cooler summer compared with the average.

As weather extremes become more commonplace, many National Trust gardens, such as Sheffield Park, near Uckfield, are also busy future-proofing to ensure many future years of autumnal colour, the charity said.

A swan overlooking the lake during autumn at Sheffield Park

Environmental factors affect when deciduous trees and shrubs start to change colour and shed leaves in autumn – with sunny days and cool nights making for the most colourful displays.

The National Trust, which has sites across the county including Petworth Park and Nymans, said hopes remain for a dazzling colour display as the trees keep their leaves for longer because of this year’s conditions.

But the charity said one of the consequences of autumn taking longer to develop and trees holding on to their leaves for longer is the additional threat of damage from storms, such as that caused by felled trees on roads and paths where plantation is blown over.

Pamela Smith, senior national consultant for gardens and parklands at the National Trust, said: “As the predictability of weather patterns continues to alter due to a changing climate, the timings of a traditional autumn with its colourful canopy displays become less certain.

“We’ve seen a real mixed bag of conditions so far this year.

“However, if we get sharp, hard frosts or see further wet weather with storms, heavy rain and wind roll across the UK, that may cut any extended show short.”

Sheffield Park in its autumn glory

Luke Barley, the National Trust’s senior national consultant for trees and woodland, said: “In our management of both woods and ancient trees, we are worried about the impact of experiencing more storms when the trees are in leaf and catch the wind more, potentially causing more damage than these important habitats and trees can sustain.

“The constant alternation between extreme waterlogging and drought in the soil stresses trees, and we see the signs of this effect on their rooting environment everywhere in reduced health in their crowns.”

Ms Smith said: “No matter how this season unfolds, we are already seeing signs that things are getting under way around the country, whether that’s in a city, town or in the countryside.”

The charity said it has seen birch, beech, lime, red maples, acers, azaleas, copper and sweet gum trees starting to turn into shades of gold, orange, yellow and red across its sites.