AUTUMN IS HERE

The days are definitely beginning feel a little cooler… and its a little darker. And the leaves are looking spectacular!

Colder air induces the trees to show warmer colours as we see them starting to turn and change into their autumn dress. On my journeys this last week I have noticed beeches with a yellow-orange glow to their tips, and some horse chestnuts are much further forward, looking really bright already.

Have you ever wondered how the leaves change colour? Check out this fabulous poster called The Chemistry of Autumn Colours that details the different compounds and how they become visible. A great resource for a wee science lesson!

Hidden for most of the growing season when the green chlorophylls dominate, the other compounds become visible as the cold causes the green chlorophylls to decompose.

Happy wandering in the woods and see if you can spot what all the different species of trees are doing. The Woodland Trust’s Natures Calendar, mentioned in the video, is a compilation of seasonal observations, a great example of citizen science. These recordings help scientists observe how the changing climate is affecting the UK’s wildlife. Things like the first signs of autumn, ripe berries and leaves changing colour!