Autumn colours

I've come to the conclusion over the past few months that I'm a bit of a tree hugger (which is no bad thing!). There is something to be said for the feeling of happiness that I get when I see a beautiful flower, a sun dappled English hedgerow or a fruit laden-tree. We went to Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire a couple of weekends ago, and the autumn colours of the trees there were just breathtaking...... I read a couple of weeks ago that it's the British weather conditions that dictate the strength of the autumn colours. Bright, sunny autumn days and cold, but not freezing, nights with low levels of rainfall are what's needed for a vibrant display of reds, oranges and yellows.

The BBC website explains how the weather we've had this year has also led to a huge crop of hedgerow fruits like brambles, wild plums, rosehips and sloes. The weather this year has been that of extremes; the coldest winter in 30 years, the first late spring since 1976, a heatwave in late June and the coldest August in 17 years. Despite this though, because the 10-12 week period between May and early July was relatively frost free, the trees all had time to flower, be pollinated and set well with fruit.

Happy days! Let's hope next year will have equally as gorgeous tree colours and another bumper wild fruit harvest!