Scotland set for late autumn despite trees browning early

But despite appearances to the contrary in some parts of Scotland, autumn is not coming early.

Experts have explained that the occasional signs of browning and defoliation are just the result of the horrendous summer as wet and windy conditions - and the bugs and diseases which they bring - have taken their toll on the nation’s woodlands.

In fact, this autumn is likely to be late, though sadly that doesn’t guarantee an Indian summer in the meantime.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission Scotland said: “Although much of Scotland seems to have been consistently wet since last autumn and often very windy, some areas in the north west have experienced unusually dry weather.

“Either set of conditions can, in their own right, cause leaf browning and premature leaf fall, but a number of insect pests and diseases have also thrived this year (in the humid conditions)- particularly aphids and some fungal pathogens.

“These impacts have been particularly widespread and obvious on cherry trees, larch, pine and even Sitka spruce.”

The Forestry Commission added, however, that the impact of this summer’s appalling downpours is unlikely to be as dramatic as the widespread leaf browning which occurred among trees in the west of Scotland last May after hurricane strength winds battered the area.

Meanwhile the Woodland Trust, which monitors the seasons across the UK, said that although it had already been notified of several trees turning in Argyll this autumn was set to be late.

A spokeswoman for the Trust said: “We have had a handful of leaf tinting records UK-wide so far including a sycamore, a rowan and an oak in Scotland, all submitted by the same recorder in Argyll.

“This would be consistent with when we might expect to see (the) first tint, but we would expect tinting to be a bit later this year as there has been no shortage of rain.”