The woodlands are ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows in what I might call a “dazzling display,” if I were given to such enthusiasms. Recent rain has kept the trees hydrated, and unseasonably warm weather has delayed their annual shedding. How quaint.
I am on my way to Guisborough, following the forest track through Hutton Woods. Above me looms Highcliff Nab, that sandstone crag peeking through the kaleidoscope of colours. Beech leaves in pumpkin, lime, turmeric, and saffron hues. Sycamore leaves in lemon yellow, perched on wine-red stems. The beech branches, silhouetted against the sun, form neat little patterns, their glowing leaves like something arranged by an obsessive flower arranger.
With shorter days and less light, trees stop bothering to produce chlorophyll. The green pigment fades, sugars are drawn back into the trunk, and voilà—the hidden reds, oranges, yellows, and browns step into the spotlight. Knowing the science hardly dampens the spectacle, though it does rob it of some of its mystery.
Several have commented this is the best autumn display in years. But is it not curious how long the leaves are hanging on? Of course, no one wants to mention the obvious: rising global temperatures might be playing a role. I recently read an article explaining how autumn, like a forgetful guest, seems to be arriving later and later.1Lavelle, Michael. “Autumn leaves are staying green for longer in Britain – here’s why”. 12 November 2024. https://theconversation.com/autumn-leaves-are-staying-green-for-longer-in-britain-heres-why-243224
Trees usually take their cue from cold or darkness to drop their leaves and go dormant. When autumn stays warm, they keep working, photosynthesizing and drawing nutrients from their leaves. How industrious of them.
The 2022 season was particularly absurd. A blistering summer followed by a damp, mild autumn confused the trees into thinking it was spring. They bloomed out of season, only to be walloped by an untimely frost. Apparently, this led to widespread damage.
If climate change continues—and it shows no signs of taking a break—we can expect more of these erratic seasonal patterns. For now, we may enjoy the colours and shrug off the tardy leaf drop. But if you are paying attention, you will notice this is less a charming quirk and more a flashing warning light for the state of the natural world.
- 1Lavelle, Michael. “Autumn leaves are staying green for longer in Britain – here’s why”. 12 November 2024. https://theconversation.com/autumn-leaves-are-staying-green-for-longer-in-britain-heres-why-243224
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