Autumn signals abundant acorns, conkers and berries

AUTUMN is set to bring an abundance of acorns, conkers and hedgerow fruit this year after initial concerns over impacts from the hot summer and drought have been allayed, the National Trust said.

- REBECCA SPEARE-COLE

Initial concerns over impacts from the hot summer have been allayed

Experts from the conservation charity say the UK is seeing a "mast year" - a phenomenon occurring around once every four years, in which certain tree species produce unusually-high numbers of nuts and berries.

They also predict a long, colourful autumn display in many of the trust's gardens, parklands and woodlands in the coming weeks because of the recent plentiful sunshine combined with some late rainfall.

The conditions have put the brakes on the start of a "false autumn" in some areas, which is when stress caused to plants by prolonged hot, dry conditions can prompt the premature shredding of leaves and early ripening of fruits.

The National Trust also said most of the sites in its care escaped the impacts of Storm Amy this past week relatively unscathed.

It comes as autumn conditions in the UK become increasingly tricky to predict as climate change causes more volatility.

Many National Trust gardeners and countryside managers reported that autumn has arrived swiftly, as though someone has "flicked a switch", the charity said.