Turning

The leaves on the little Fuji cherry tree in the 'yard are starting to take on their splendid Autumn colours.

But we've noticed that on many trees - ashes, oaks, birches, even some of the hawthorns in the hedgerows - around Northumberland, the leaves have simply withered and died prematurely. On some trees they look almost scorched. Quite possibly it's caused by the lack of water during an unusually hot, dry summer. We've had very little rain here over the last few months (with no more than a few brief showers forecast for the next week). Hopefully the leaves will be back to normal next year.