The winds of change
The weather of recent days will certainly have you feeling autumnal and it seems the trees of Westonbirt Arboretum are sympathising with you. Spurred on by the long dry spring, some species are already showing the start of autumn colour. But don’t worry, many trees are still to turn and we are looking forward to a long, vibrant season of colour.
Westonbirt is currently a mix of lush summer greens and the sneaky signs of early autumn. Look one way when walking through and you’ll feel firmly in summer, but just a turn to your left or right could have you feeling the excitement that autumn brings to the arboretum.
The Persian ironwoods, famous for having several vibrant colours cover each individual leaf in autumn, are one species on their way through the seasonal change. They are not in full colour, but are beautifully showing the initial stages each leaf goes through as the months get cooler.
Along with some of the Japanese maples in Acer Glade, photography favourite, the Acer palmatum along Willesley Drive in Silk Wood, is also teasing visitors by starting its autumn journey. This specimen is one of Westonbirt’s most photographed maples, favoured for its dark silhouette-like bark and the angle which the sunlight shines through the canopy.
Move up to the National Japanese Maple Collection and Maple Loop in Silk Wood and similar sights can be seen. This Acer palmatum dissectum is just one specimen flashing bright red leaves amongst a green mane.
Whilst these examples are ‘on the turn’, there are several still to say goodbye to summer. Many trees, including the paper bark maple at Down Gate on Mitchell Drive remain green, as do the swamp cypress and deciduous larch trees that provide a tawny yellow backdrop to the blazing reds.
An autumn favourite, the hickory, is also still firmly green. This beauty will also have to wait a little longer to wow Westonbirt’s visitors with its vibrant yellow autumn colour.
Whilst those questioning when to come may want to visit now to see this spectacle of two seasons, the full force of autumn is still to arrive.
The traditional autumn months will still be good for colour. That's the beauty of Westonbirt - the trees in this collection are from all over the world, which means they change colour at different times, giving The National Arboretum its recognition as the place to see long, varied autumn colour.
