Connect with us

Published

2 years ago

on

The National Trust says we will see a very different autumn this year with more golden browns and yellows on the trees because of the summer heatwave.

Pamela Smith, senior national gardens and parks consultant at the National Trust, said: “In terms of the typical autumn cycle, it remains to be seen what the drought and high temperatures could mean for this year’s autumn colour, but we may see more golden browns and yellows as a result – and this year could be quite a unique display.

“Biologically, long daylight hours are needed as well as the right mix of sunlight and rain – and hopefully trees were able to build up plenty of sugars in the spring and early summer so that the high temperatures had little impact – and it will only be those trees already under stress that will be impacted.

“It’s likely that well-established trees will be more resilient and that we will still see the full colour spectrum, but this year is a warning to us all of how what we’ve previously taken for granted, may be at risk.”

Autumn colour is determined by both yearly weather patterns and short term changes in sunshine and rain.

“Ideally over the next two weeks we need sunshine, rain, no strong winds and to see temperatures starting to dip,” Ms Smith said.

“We’ll get the first indications of how good this year’s autumn colour will be in the north, as typically temperatures start to drop here first.”

More on Autumn

Related Topics:

Longer-term impacts of climate change and heatwaves on native trees

The government set a target to plant 30,000 hectares of new trees every year by 2025.

However, planting has been slow: 13,700 hectares were planted in 2019-20, 13,300 in 2020-21 and 13,800 in 2021-22.

John Deakin, head of trees and woodlands at the National Trust, said: “Trees are incredibly resilient, particularly our oldest ones, which have endured centuries of storms, droughts and winter frosts, which is why the conservation of our ancient and veteran trees is so important in the final stages of their long lives as they become more vulnerable to sudden change…

“It’s very likely we won’t understand the full impact of this summer’s temperatures until next spring when their ability to burst into new life may be hampered if they didn’t manage to store enough sugars in their roots over the summer period.”

Some trees will be more resilient to the extreme weather than others.

Luke Barley, trees and woodlands adviser for the National Trust, said: “Young trees haven’t had the chance to fully establish, and therefore unfortunately don’t have the root system or mass to help them survive during periods of drought.

“We’re also finding that trees which have developed from natural colonisation, are doing much better. This is because when self-seeding they are establishing good root systems from germination.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

UK

Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

Published

2 hours ago

on

June 26, 2024

By

Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice, it can now be reported.

There will be a retrial on other charges they were facing, which is likely to be held in March next year.

Marten, 37, who is from a wealthy family, and Gordon, 50, were charged following the death of their newborn baby daughter Victoria.

A nationwide search for Marten and Gordon was launched after a placenta was found in the couple’s burnt-out car on a motorway in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in January 2023.

The couple were arrested in Brighton last February, with the child’s body found days later.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

Maldwyn Evans: Family ‘distraught’ after death of four-year-old boy

Published

2 hours ago

on

June 26, 2024

By

Maldwyn Evans: Family 'distraught' after death of four-year-old boy

A family has been left “incredibly distraught” after the death of a four-year-old boy in his garden in Ceredigion in west Wales.

Maldwyn “Gwern” Evans died at his home in Tynreithin, Tregaron, on 20 June.

His family described him as a “keen little farmer” who would be remembered for his “captivating personality”.

“As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community,” they said in a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police.

“He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.

“He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.

“He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.”

They added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time.

“It has meant so much to the whole family.”

Read more from Sky News:
Airport chaos branded a ‘shambles’
Arrest in Westminster honeytrap probe
A week on the country’s night buses

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Dyfed-Powys Police said in a previous statement: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner has been informed.

“Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

Continue Reading

UK

Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

Published

5 hours ago

on

June 26, 2024

By

Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

Newly released footage shows the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues by both land and air.

The search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, who is missing in Tenerife, has now entered its tenth day.

He has been missing since Monday 17 June.

The friends he was holidaying with last heard from him at around 8.30am that day.

He told them he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus – a journey of around 11 hours by foot.

The search currently centres on Masca, a mountainous area on the western tip of the island.

The village, which is home to around 90 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of 650m, and is where Mr Slater is believed to have been when he was last heard from.

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Image:
Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Image:
Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Search continues

The footage from Spanish police comes after Mr Slater’s father said the family were being kept in the dark by some officers.

It shows a helicopter searching the mountainous area, with search teams on foot having been joined by sniffer dogs.

X

This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

They then enter a wooded area and proceed to search the mountainous region.

In one clip, an officer uses binoculars to try and see if there are any signs of the missing teen.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jay Slater’s dad has said police have left him and his family in the dark over the hunt for the missing teen.

The 35-second montage of clips was posted on the X social media platform on the Guardia Civil account.

“We continue with the search for the young British man missing in Tenerife,” police said in the post on Tuesday night.

“Different Guardia Civil units from the area participate, joined by agents, with their dogs specialised in searching for people, from Madrid.”

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

But The Times reports that the dogs have not been given a piece of Mr Slater’s clothing for them to pick up a scent.

Cadaver dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of human remains without the need for a specific prompt.

Read more:
Hiker rescued by police searching for Jay Slater
Online sleuths wade into hunt

Mayor Emilio Jose Navarro told the Reuters news agency that some locals have been interviewed by police.

That includes some who claim they saw Mr Slater watching Euro matches on the coast.

Continue Reading

Trending