Experts are warning that autumn in Wales could look very different this year after a scorching hot summer of heatwaves. The National Trust has said that the dry weather over the summer created a 'false autumn' in August which is thought to have a knock-on impact on the season ahead.
As the country underwent a drought many trees and species shed their leaves early to try and conserve water, and so without action the usual pattern of leaf drop usually seen at this time of year could be fundamentally altered.
Pamela Smith, senior national gardens and parks consultant for the National Trust, said: "Due to the leaf drop that has already occurred in isolated areas, this year's autumn colour will be reduced due to the simple reason that many trees have already lost a lot of their leaves due to the hot summer.
"Trees suffering due to drought don't have the resources to sustain their size, so often the impact is a smaller leaf canopy.
"However, in terms of the typical autumn cycle, it remains to be seen what the drought and high temperatures could mean for this year's autumn colour, but we may see more golden browns and yellows as a result - and this year could be quite a unique display."
Ms Smith added: "It's likely that well established trees will be more resilient and that we will still see the full colour spectrum, but this year is a warning to us all of how what we've previously taken for granted, may be at risk."
The dry weather experienced this summer has brought on new climate change fears for the country, with Wales experiencing the hottest day on record in July. As a result, there have been warnings that the country could experience more extreme weather and seasonal trends - such as leaves falling in winter - could be disrupted.
Tom Day, area ranger at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk, echoed this. They said: "This summer has shown that we may need to prepare for a new reality for our trees. If temperature continue to rise, the combination of hotter summers, a lack of cold snapbacks and new wounds will inevitably lead to an increase in diseases like ash dieback, oak decline and honey fungus."
Mr Day said climate change could see trees turning into "veteran" specimens - those that are scarred or damaged - much sooner than they otherwise would have.
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