The colour spectacular trees treat us to each autumn before their leaves fall could be at risk from climate change, says the National Trust.
Over the next few weeks we will see just how much the summer heatwave and droughts have impacted trees.
While some have shown signs of autumn early, overnight temperatures must drop before the leaves really start to turn. But the Trust says signs of stressed and struggling trees have been seen across Northern Ireland, with many thinking autumn arrived early carpeting the ground below them in August.
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This phenomenon, known as a ‘false’ autumn, was because they didn’t get enough water.
But what does this summer’s weather mean for autumn?
Claire McNally, Head Gardener at Rowallane Garden in Saintfield, said: “After the extreme dryness during the summer, many of the typical autumnal events have accelerated.
“Already, some of our trees here at Rowallane have shifted into autumn colours, while others haven’t even begun.
“Others, like many of our birches, horse chestnuts, sycamores, field maples and Japanese maples have had their leaves scorched, and while the scorched leaves have not all dropped, they are already brown and crisp and will not delivery their usual autumn colour spectacle.
“Rowallane in particular is largely small pockets of soil over stone, so heat radiates off the rock, and it do not retain water well.
“Normally, this is not an issue as the Northern Irish climate is usually sufficiently damp, but in times of drought these areas are hit particularly hard.
“Having to compete so fiercely for root space and moisture put older plants especially under a lot of pressure and made them more vulnerable to disease, most prominently ash dieback, as well as fungal infections.”
Autumn colour is determined by what the weather is doing now and weather patterns across the year.
While good levels of sunshine, but also rainfall is needed to build up sugars in the leaves, a lack of rain causes stress for the trees with potentially early shows of yellow or brown autumn colour and leaf fall.
It’s also important to have a period of calm weather so leaves aren’t blown off trees before they’ve started to turn.
Shortening days and lower light levels in October stops the production of chlorophyl, the green energy creating pigment in leaves. As the green pigment fades (due to the trees withdrawing sugars from the leaves) the underlying colours of reds, oranges, browns and yellows become apparent.
Claire added: “Luckily, there are still plenty of trees with full of lush green leaves that let us hope for a stunning display of autumn colours. Visitors can especially look forward to the Liquidambar, Cercidiphyllum, Betula lenta and Lyonia, which are only slightly ahead of themselves in bringing out their spectacular autumn colours, and the azaleas, which are just now beginning to colour up.”
The National Trust is offering the chance to visit a National Trust property for free to help more people get outdoors this autumn.
For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/escape-into-autumn
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