ANYONE who has ever marvelled at the diversity of colour in the area’s trees when autumn arrives can expect an extra special treat this season.

The Woodland Trust says that the combination of dry sunny days and the cool dry nights are perfect conditions for bringing out the variety of colour in woodlands.

Nick Collinson, of the Woodland Trust, explained: “Dry weather concentrates the sugar in the leaves which makes the colour more intense. The recent rain means that the leaves should stay on the trees for longer so this should be a perfect autumn for a walk in the woods.” The Woodland Trust says that leaves change colour because earlier in the year, when there is lots of light, they produce chlorophyll – the green colour in grass stains. It is used to convert sunlight into energy which the leaf stores as sugar. Reds of anthocyanin and the yellow of carotene are also present. As light and temperatures drop, the leaves stop making chlorophyll and it breaks down, revealing the colours underneath.