Why Are Leaves Falling Early?

Have you spotted crunchy leaves underfoot in July or August and thought autumn had arrived early? This puzzling seasonal shift is known as “false autumn”, and it’s happening more often across the UK. Here’s what it means for our trees, gardens, and wildlife.

What Is False Autumn?

False autumn is when trees start shedding leaves or changing colour in mid to late summer – long before the real autumn season. To passers-by it looks like October has come early, but in reality it’s a sign of trees under stress.

Why does it happen?

There are a few key reasons behind false autumn in the UK:

• Heatwaves & drought: When water is scarce, trees conserve energy by dropping leaves early.
• Pests & diseases: Hot, dry weather can make trees more vulnerable to leaf-damaging fungi or insects.
• Tree type: Some species – like birches and horse chestnuts – are more prone to early leaf loss than oaks or beeches.

Is it bad for trees?

The good news is that most healthy trees bounce back the following spring. But repeated cycles of heat stress and early leaf drop can weaken trees in the long run, making them less resilient to pests, disease, and future droughts.

How False Autumn affects wildlife

Nature’s calendar is finely tuned, so shifts like false autumn can cause problems:

• Insects lose vital feeding grounds earlier than expected.
• Birds and mammals may see berries and nuts ripening too soon, disrupting food supplies for migration or winter.

Climate change and False Autumn

Experts link false autumn to climate change. The UK is experiencing hotter, drier summers with more unpredictable rainfall. What used to be a rare event is now becoming more frequent, raising concerns for woodland health and biodiversity.

What gardeners can do

If you’re seeing signs of false autumn in your garden, here are a few tips:

• Mulch around trees to help retain soil moisture.
• Water young trees during prolonged dry spells.
• Plant a diverse mix of species to increase resilience to extreme weather.