Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Drought after record heat causes trees to shed leaves early in England
Record summer heat and drought have made some trees shed their leaves early in England, a change known as a “false autumn.”
At Wisley garden in Surrey, birches have lost their leaves before their usual yellow autumn display.
Birches, beeches and sycamores have been among the worst affected because their shallow roots cannot reach deeper water when surface soil dries out.
Oaks and some other trees have fared better, while many plants at Wisley still show autumn colours.
Most of England and Wales remains in drought, with six areas of England declared in severe drought this month as river and reservoir levels run low.
The Royal Horticultural Society expects autumn colour to peak earlier in drought-hit areas, with bright displays that may not last as long.
Gardeners may plant fewer birches and more trees better suited to future conditions, though the RHS says those trees should also withstand occasional cold winters.
Drought after England’s hottest summer on record has caused some trees to shed their leaves early.
Birches, beeches and sycamores were among the trees that had lost their foliage by mid-October.
The early leaf loss is known as a “false autumn” and occurs when extreme summer conditions stress trees.
The majority of England and Wales remains in drought, with six areas of England declared in severe drought this month.
The Royal Horticultural Society expects an earlier, potentially shorter autumn colour peak in drought-hit areas.
- Who
- Trees in England, especially birches, beeches and sycamores, have shed leaves early.
- What
- Drought-stressed trees have dropped their leaves before the usual autumn season.
- When
- After the hottest summer on record; some trees had shed their foliage by mid-October.
- Where
- England, including Wisley garden in Surrey.
- Why
- High temperatures and drought stressed trees, leading them to shed leaves to avoid losing more water.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
England experienced its hottest summer on record.
Drought-sensitive trees including birches, beeches and sycamores had shed their foliage.
Six areas of England were declared in severe drought.
- Summer
- Hottest on record in England
- Affected tree species
- Birch, beech and sycamore
- Drought status
- Most of England and Wales remains in drought
- Severe drought
- Six areas of England declared in severe drought this month
- Location featured
- Wisley garden, Surrey, south-east England
What people are saying
That’s the effect of drought, so it’ll have no autumn colour this year.
Birch, beech and sycamore have been among the trees worst affected
So for me, this is quite unusual.