Leaves on Trees Turning Brown Due to Stress, Not Early Autumn

Forestry experts have explained that the browning and falling of leaves seen recently is not due to an early autumn, but rather a response to stress caused by lack of water and prolonged heat.

In Derbyshire, National Forest officials have observed trees shedding leaves earlier than usual, a phenomenon typically occurring between September and November as temperatures drop. The warmest summer on record in the UK has led to trees like silver birch shedding leaves prematurely.

Woodland manager Ed Hirons from National Forest clarified that the brown, crinkly leaves are stress signals from trees coping with water scarcity due to recent drought conditions.

Efforts are being made to aid soil recovery and plan interventions for future occurrences. Comparisons have been drawn between the warm summers of 2022 and 2025, with the latter experiencing prolonged warm, dry weather and below-average rainfall.

Mr. Hirons emphasized that the current situation is not indicative of autumn, which is triggered by changes in daylight conditions usually occurring in late September or early October. Species with shallow roots like silver birch, sycamore, and field maple are most affected.

While immediate solutions are limited, strategies such as planting diverse tree species with varying root depths are being considered to mitigate future impacts.

The lack of water not only affects trees but also has broader implications for ground soil and other vegetation. Observations suggest early growth of blackberries due to increased sunlight during spring, indicating potential ecosystem changes.

Ongoing monitoring will provide insights into the long-term effects of the current conditions. Future studies will likely reveal the full extent of impacts on the environment.