Overview
- The charity reports unusually large crops of acorns, conkers, berries and fungi across many sites, describing the phenomenon as a mast year that typically occurs about every four years.
- September showers largely halted early false-autumn leaf drop, with gardeners now expecting a gradual build of colour rather than a premature fade.
- Site managers point to record or exceptional acorn yields at places such as Dunham Massey, with widespread food supplies set to benefit birds, mammals and insects.
- Peak displays are expected from mid to late October into early November at gardens including Sheffield Park, Stourhead and other National Trust properties.
- Managers note localized drought stress and some veteran tree losses at Petworth, though most sites saw limited impact from Storm Amy as climate volatility keeps forecasting challenging.