How do I record ‘typical’ autumn tree behaviour? 

A recorder enquiry prompts us to issue new guidance

Jill Smith from Gwynedd wrote to us to explain she found autumn tree recording very frustrating as it was hard to assess the green-to-bare tree conditions. Living on the west coast, she found that trees exposed to strong sea winds could become leafless by late September. However in some nearby sheltered valleys, trees of the same species could still be in full leaf. 

Jill wondered if recorders could be advised to ‘adopt’ a single tree to record instead.

The suggestion from our experts is that if you live in such a variable location it could well be wise to find a tree that you feel is representative for your area; neither highly exposed or heavily sheltered. Other factors like the age of the tree, and how much rainfall it receives can affect when it sheds its leaves, so these are all things to bear in mind when selecting one.

See page 6 of our recording guide for more tips

For the full recording guide, please visit our materials page.