Kit for autumn tidying<\/a><\/li>
When does autumn start?<\/a><\/li>
Autumn trees for colour<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Autumn is less about decay and cessation than you may think, instead consider it a time to celebrate rebirth and life anew. Our trees<\/a> in the garden, orchard or forest are burgeoning with fruit, each containing one or more seeds to forge future life. Across much of the UK (less common in Scotland) and Ireland, keep a look out during country walks for our most showy native tree, spindle (Euonymus europaeus<\/em>). Its pink velvet fruit split open to reveal bright orange seeds known as arils (once used to make dyes), bedazzling the robins, blackbirds<\/a> and song thrushes which count it as a favourite.<\/p>
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Tree seeds often need periods of cold weather to overcome dormancy<\/p><\/blockquote>
Berries growing in our hedges<\/a> and gardens are incredibly important for wildlife<\/a>. Small mammals, especially dormice and wood mice, together with our resident birds, rely on these fruits to prepare for the winter months. Later in the year they sustain fieldfare, redwing and waxwing visiting from afar. If you need to trim a hedge which still has fruit on its boughs, like blackthorn (sloes), cherry plum or hawthorn<\/a>, consider leaving some uncut to foster wildlife.<\/p>
A branch full of red hawthorn berries in early autumn, Crataegus monogyna \u00a9 Getty\/Javier Fern\u00e1ndez S\u00e1nchez<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Tree seeds often need periods of cold weather to overcome dormancy if they are to spring into life in the new year. The process of stratification as it is known, relies on winter\u2019s frosts. This will be happening under our feet as we shuffle through crispy leaf litter on a chilly woodland walk.<\/a> For some trees, the consumption of seeds by frugivorous birds is an important part of their dispersal and successful germination. Trees with larger seeds, like oak (acorns), hazel (hazelnut) and walnut, rely on animals like the jay or squirrel carrying them away to hoard them for later consumption only to forget about them.<\/p>
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How to identify ash trees<\/a><\/li>
How to identify beech trees<\/a><\/li>
How to identify oak trees<\/a><\/li>
How to identify hawthorn, crab apple and rowan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Below ground, the first roots emerging from a seed will grow rigorously, often well before any obvious signs above ground. A walnut for example can grow a taproot 90cm-long before its seedling leaves appear. Meanwhile, the roots of mature trees often put on a spurt of growth in early autumn to nutrient load before the winter, much like a marathon runner loads carbs before their exertion. Don\u2019t be tempted to lift or plant any bare-root trees<\/a> during this time, instead wait until November onwards when the tree is fully dormant.<\/p>
$\"Euonymus$
Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade’ \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Some believe in the idea of tree tides<\/p><\/blockquote>
For anyone who appreciates the warmth and beauty of wood, autumn is a time to cheer the forester as they fulfil the vision of a long-passed predecessor, with the felling of trees from a well-managed forest. Some believe in the idea of tree tides, where moon wood felling can improve the quality of the timber.<\/p>
$\"Hazelnut$
Hazelnut \u00a9 Getty\/szjphoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>
We have much in common with trees, in our fortitude and long lives as climax species on the planet. Both humans and trees need a regular period of calm and gentle recovery before life can begin again with verve and verdancy.<\/p>
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Dr Gabriel Hemery<\/a> is an author, photographer and forest scientist. His upcoming book The Tree Almanac 2024 (Robinson Books) is a beautifully illustrated month-by-month guide to the seasonal journey of trees and can be pre-ordered <\/em>here<\/em><\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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