A summer of drought has led to some strange reactions for the UK seasons. Now, experts are questioning whether we will experience a normal autumn.
There are already signs of a so-called ‘false autumn’ appearing, with trees suffering from the effects of the drought. However, the ingredients are still there for a colourful season to shine through, especially if the weather continues to cool enough.10
"The hot, sunny summer could still provide some of the ingredients for wonderful autumn colour, but the drought means the picture is likely to be more varied than usual,” says Luke Barley, Senior National Specialist in trees and woodland at the National Trust.
The coming weeks will be crucial. Autumn colour always depends on a combination of factors, but after such an extraordinary summer the usual signals are much harder to read. Climate change is making our seasons more unpredictable and we're going to learn more this year about the impact of drought on autumn colour.”
There are further concerns for the trees of the UK due to the upcoming El Niño increasing the chances of wetter and stormier weather. Mild conditions could cause trees to hold their leaves for longer, which will be more vulnerable to high winds.
“El Niño most strongly affects countries around the Pacific and in the tropics. But in the UK it’s still likely to increase rainfall and storms that could be with us by November,” says Graham Alderton, Head Gardener at Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey.
“That’s optimistic news for autumn colour but still a concern considering what the trees have been through already this year.”
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The most obvious change will be in autumnal colours, but there could also be a change in the ways plants respond.
“Many plants went into stasis over summer. If mild and wet conditions persist now, they might take advantage of the late opportunity to put on a growth spurt and to flower,” says head gardener at Bodnants, Ned Lomax.
“We could get a second flush from our herbaceous plants, out-of-season flowering and unusual combinations, like rhododendrons in flower and maples in autumn colour at the same time.”
This could also effect one of autumn’s favourite activities. Drought-stressed horse chestnuts are dropping their conkers prematurely, resulting in a noticeably smaller crop this year.
We don’t yet know exactly how autumn will play out this year, but expect a more chaotic autumn, filled with changes in plant’s routines, smaller crops and unusual colourings.
