Why are this year's autumn colours so late?

This year, many people have noticed that the autumn colors are arriving later than usual. Bill Reynolds, who enjoys taking walks in the woods near his home in the New Forest, has observed that the leaves on the oak trees are still predominantly green. He remarked, 'Things have altered a bit. ' Bill has been capturing photographs of the changing scenery for several years and sharing them with fellow nature enthusiasts on a Facebook group dedicated to the Southampton to New Forest area. He believes that the trees are about two weeks behind schedule in displaying their autumn colors. Other members of the group have also commented on the trees remaining greener for an extended period. Bill added, 'I'm just a layman, but it's what I've noticed - it's not happened overnight, it's been going on for some time. ' The delay in the vibrant autumn colors can be attributed to the weather conditions. Professor Liz Bentley from the Royal Meteorological Society explained that as the days grow shorter and the light levels decrease, trees begin to stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment found in leaves. As the chlorophyll fades, the underlying colors of red, orange, brown, and yellow become visible. For trees to develop their autumn colors, they require a good balance of sunshine and rainfall. A lack of rain can cause stress to the trees, leading to early signs of yellow or brown leaves and premature leaf fall. Last summer was particularly hot and dry, resulting in some leaves turning brown and dropping off as early as August. However, this year has seen milder and wetter conditions, allowing the chlorophyll in the leaves to continue being produced, which is why they remain green. Trees typically shed their dead leaves when they can no longer extract energy from them during the winter months. According to statistics from the Met Office, the average autumn temperatures in south-central and southeast England have risen over the years. The Woodland Trust has been working on a project to gather information about long-term trends in seasonal changes. This citizen science project has created a database that tracks key seasonal events, such as the first snowdrop in spring, the return of swallows from Africa, and the timing of autumn fruit ripening or leaf fall. Dr. Kate Lewthwaite from the Woodland Trust stated, 'This year the growing season is effectively extending as temperatures have remained mild. ' The goal of this project is to help scientists better understand how different species are responding to climate change. Dr. Lewthwaite noted that changes in the timing of seasonal events are often the first indicators that scientists observe. They believe that some species will thrive under these new conditions, while others may face challenges. The National Trust has also expressed concerns that the unpredictable weather experienced this year could impact the seasonal displays in their gardens and properties. Pamela Smith, a senior national consultant for gardens and parklands, mentioned, 'As the predictability of weather patterns continues to alter due to a changing climate, the timings of a traditional autumn with its colorful canopy displays become less certain. ' The trees retaining their leaves can also increase the risk of damage from autumn storms. Dr. Rob Salguero-Gómez, who studies the shifts in seasonal events, explained that plants and insects may become out of sync due to the changing seasons. He noted that if plants are changing their life cycles four times faster than insects, which rely on them for food or pollination, this mismatch could disrupt the entire ecological system. Dr. Salguero-Gómez discovered that 60% of the relationships between insects and plants in Europe are changing significantly. Plants are waking up earlier, growing faster, and reproducing sooner, while insects are lagging behind. This disconnect can have serious implications for the food chain, as humans and other animals depend on plants for sustenance. If you have a story that you believe BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight should cover, you can reach out to them through their contact form. You can also follow them on social media for more updates and information.