Discover Cornwall’s Autumn Colours: Why Leaves Change as the Season Shifts

As autumn settles over Cornwall, visitors and locals alike can look forward to a vibrant display of colour, thanks in part to this year’s above-average rainfall. With the season’s changing conditions, trees across the region are preparing to transform, offering a stunning natural spectacle.

How Leaves Change Colour in Autumn

Trees rely on sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. In spring and summer, their green leaves are full of chlorophyll, a chemical that helps convert sunlight into food through photosynthesis. But as the days get shorter and temperatures drop in autumn, chlorophyll begins to break down. This allows other pigments in the leaves, like carotenoids (which produce orange hues) and xanthophylls (yellow tones), to become visible.

In some trees, like wild cherry and aspen, a higher concentration of sugars in the leaves during autumn can produce anthocyanins, turning the leaves red. The amount of sunlight a tree receives and the sugar levels in its leaves determine how red the leaves become.

How Weather Affects Autumn Colours

Weather conditions play a significant role in the intensity and duration of autumn’s colours. Warmer temperatures, linked to climate change, can extend the colourful season into November. However, early frosts, strong winds, or heavy rainfall can cause the leaves to fall before their colours fully develop.

Forestry England is adapting to these changing conditions by planting a variety of tree species that can better cope with a warming climate. Trees like small-leaved lime, hornbeam, oak, and wild cherry not only thrive in Cornwall’s changing environment but also provide beautiful colours for future autumns.

Explore Cornwall’s Forests This Autumn

With Cornwall’s forests set to put on an impressive show this year, Forestry England encourages everyone to get outside and explore the natural beauty of the season. To find a forest near you, visit Forestry England’s website and plan your autumn adventure. Becoming a member also offers perks like free parking, so you can make the most of your visits throughout the year.

Don’t miss the chance to witness Cornwall’s trees in all their autumn glory, with vivid displays of yellows, oranges, and reds set against the backdrop of the region’s stunning landscapes.