Vibrant autumn colours could be on the way after wet start

Forestry England said the rainfall, particularly in spring, has resulted in a 'lush growth' in trees.

However, the extent of the autumn colours will depend on the weather in the coming months.

Data from the Met Office shows that most regions of England had more rain than usual during winter and spring.

There is expected to be a pop of colour throughout forests in England this autumn (Image: Paul Box)

The abundant water in spring has helped trees to grow well and produce many sugar-rich leaves.

Andrew Smith, Forestry England director of Westonbirt Arboretum, said: "Trees produce sugars through photosynthesis, a process that needs plenty of water, sunlight and carbon dioxide.

"This year’s abundant rainfall has helped our forest trees grow well and produce lots of leaves full of sugars.

"However, for a truly spectacular display, we also need to have plenty of sunshine during late summer and early autumn.

"If September and October bring sunny weather, we should see a stunning array of colours in the nation’s forests this year."

Weather conditions also influence when autumn colours start to appear.

Mr Smith said: "Leaf change is triggered by environmental cues like shorter days and cooler temperatures.

"Although we’ve had lots of rain this year, our seasons have been warmer.

"If the warm weather continues, the leaves will stay green for longer, delaying the start of autumn colour.

"However, if it suddenly gets cold after a warm period, the leaves could start to change colour quickly."

Forestry England is expecting the colour to come after a wet winter and spring (Image: Paul Groom)

He added that extreme weather events, such as early heavy frosts or strong storms, can cause loss of leaves before they reach peak colour.

Climate change creates longer-term threats to trees, including warmer temperatures, which can make trees more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

To ensure future generations can enjoy a colourful autumn, Forestry England is working to increase the resilience of the nation’s forests in the fight against climate change.

This includes using a variety of tree species and carefully considering their origins to ensure they can thrive in expected future climate conditions.

Trees like Aspen, wild cherry, hornbeam, small-leaved lime, and oak are among the species which should bring colour to the countryside for visitors to enjoy well into the future.

Forestry England encourages everyone to visit the nation’s forests this autumn.

Visit the Forestry England website to find a nearby forest and plan a visit.