Autumn leaves

[Jan Rosser]

Just returned from a visit to my son oop north to find my drive and paths covered in leaves - autumn has arrived The garden is still looking pretty - cotoneaster smothered in berries - is this a sign of a hard winter? Anyone else like this season - the colours are beginning to change on the trees - I have seen the USA in "the fall" and whilst the scale is greater out there I think we put on a wonderful show here too. Looking forward to a walk in the woods today with the dog - that's if she is still talking to me after a few nights in the kennels

[GillD46]

I do enjoy the changing of the colours, but I suffer from SAD so dread the shorter days and colder weather. And the leaves falling make such a lot of work - though fortunately Tony vacuums them up pretty regularly with his trusty garden vac.

Roll on Spring I say!

[Boris+]

I love the changing of the colours (and I also like the changing of the food cupboard with more crumpets and soups etc) - and we do have wonderful splashes of colour in this country.

One note of warning - don't (please) forget that leaves underfoot can create slippery and potentially dangerous walkways.

One comment of annoyance - I really can't understand (other than the economical/employment bit) why local authorities etc employ people to BLOW the leaves around! Vacuum them up - yes, big ok there; but surely why not go back to the simple rake/brush/shovel, and gather up the leave to dispose of them?

Em

[GillD46]

Perhaps because the constant bending causes back problems and time off work?

[Andrea S]

The different colours on the trees are breathtaking. Underfoot I love the crunch as you walk through them but the minute they are wet they can be very dangerous.

My OH has a shovel in the car and on country roads he bags up the leaves for his compost bin. Anyone watching him must think he is mad.

[Frank Manning]

I do enjoy the changing of the colours, but I suffer from SAD so dread the shorter days and colder weather. And the leaves falling make such a lot of work - though fortunately Tony vacuums them up pretty regularly with his trusty garden vac.

Roll on Spring I say!

I second that sentiment. I suffer from SAD as well, and I start checking the sunrise and sunset times from 1st January onwards. We compost the leaves, but always leave a few in corners and dry spots for hedgehogs and frogs.

Roll on Spring!

[david63]

Not sure if it is my imagination but the leaves seem to be staying on the trees longer this autumn than normal

[Dancing Queen]

Not sure if it is my imagination but the leaves seem to be staying on the trees longer this autumn than normal

Not your imagination at all, leaves are still on our trees and usually by mid October they have dropped and my husband cuts them back.

[qbman1]

We went to Westonbirt at the weekend and, by and large, most of the trees were still looking remarkably summery !

Personally I am not a great fan of autumn - to me the falling leaves are a symbol that summer is over and everything is dying back

[Delboy]

I love the Autumn and the changing colours, we have a very large Oak Tree at the entrance to our cul-de-sac, and we all suffer when the leaves start to fall, at the moment the pavement and road is covered in acorns.

I think everything is late this year, the seasons being between 4/6 weeks behind.

I hope so because then we may get to see some of the Autumn colours, when we are in Scotland in a Month's time, we just missed out last year.

[Quizzical Bob]

Not sure if it is my imagination but the leaves seem to be staying on the trees longer this autumn than normal

Possibly. It's the frost that makes them drop, I believe.

[Jacknian]

Don't like the autumn, it seems like the 'end' , end of the year, end of the summer and warm weather , end of my holiday ! Really like the spring which signals the start of the better weather , longer daylight hours, lovely things growing in the garden and my cruise getting nearer. Don't know If I have the s.a.d. That others refer to but I just feel a bit low and depressed with the darker evenings and worse weather. Although there's always Christmas to look forward to.

[CaroleF]

Our holly tree is covered with berries this year - last year not so many. Some people say it's a sign of a bad winter if there are lots of berries but we've certainly had winters with the tree a mass of red but a mild winter. It does look attractive with the shrubs around turning colour. I drove back home today from shopping, the sky was blue, the sun was shining and there was some lovely Autumnal colour from the trees - beautiful. I don't mind Autumn it's the months of January to March I dislike.

Carole

[Manoverboard]

Autumn is a lovely time ... Westonbirt certainly plus the time for home made soups and the log fire.

[Mo2013]

Beautiful colours in nature at this time, all the better if it is a sunny, crisp day.