Across the country, the barbeques are being wheeled inside for another year, the playgrounds falling quiet, and the beaches are emptying. But the arrival of autumn brings about another treat for us all, the spectacular sight of the autumnal tree canopies.
The south east of England is not only the home of PJC Consultancy but it is also one of the best places in the UK to witness the spectacular colours of autumnal tree canopies. According to a list produced by the Forestry Commission, both Bedgebury Forest in Kent and the Friston Forest in East Sussex are among the top ten places in the nation to witness this phenomenon this year. So what exactly causes this magnificent show?
During winter months, there is not enough light or water to allow trees to allow photosynthesis. In order to survive, they must lose their leaves and live off the food supplies they have produced and stored in their roots over the summer months. As they cease photosynthesis, the chlorophyll departs the leaves, causing the striking yellows as seen on the maidenhair tree (Ginko biloba) and oranges as seen on European beech (Fagus sylvatica) that we are all familiar with. In some species of tree such as pin oak (Quercus palustris) and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), waste sugars can be left behind in the leaves and when sunshine reacts with this, the leaves can turn brown, red or even purple, resulting on the host of bright colors we see through the autumn. The scale of the colors, along with how long autumn may last and when it may begin are hugely variable factors, and change year on year. Temperature, rainfall and sunlight for many months prior to autumn can affect the scale of the colors experienced. The optimum conditions for perfect autumnal colors are a warm, sunny summer, with wet nights, followed by a dry, cool and sunny autumn.
As these beautiful leaves fall to the ground they leave behind the bare tree. Now, when the trees are stripped bare is the perfect opportunity to commence any arboricultural survey works that you may have planned, such as condition and safety surveys and hazard evaluation surveys. By conducting works at this time of year, the canopy scaffold of the tree can be visually assessed and defects clearly analysed.
If you are a tree owner that requires arboricultural advice then please feel free to contact one of our fully qualified arboricultural consultants.