Autumn’s blushing colours

AUTUMN’S glorious colour arrives later on Irish trees than in most countries because of our mild climate.

The best of it appears as late as November, and some years not at all because equinoctial storms strip the leaves off the trees before they develop their brightest colours.

Our native species are not spectacular, though rowan and aspen are attractive in good years. The maple family provides the showiest displays and is a major contributor to the famous ‘fall’ colours of New England. But there is no native Irish maple and the only species widely naturalised, the sycamore, is an autumn disappointment.