Lack of rain brings on autumn early

Drought in some parts of Britain is causing tree deaths and early leaf fall. The Met Office has reported that parts of East Anglia have had half the average rainfall during August, while parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cumbria experienced twice the normal levels of rainfall for this time of year. Rather than receiving the average 50mm, the South East has had just 35mm of rain.

The Environment Agency said the drier than average August, together with high temperatures at times, caused soil moisture deficits that particularly affects plants. Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Nigel Taylor said they have already lost two pine trees due to the lack of water and other plants and trees are suffering in the unusual conditions such as limes and horse chestnut trees.

With plants withering early, the gardening season may be very short this year as the first frost will finish off many plants unlike recent years which have seen an extended autumn with warmer and wetter weather. Read more