Autumn in Britain is a truly magical time of year when our woodlands and hedgerows burst into a spectacle of colours. The vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and purples of autumn leaves and the appearance of berries mark the season’s transition as trees and shrubs prepare for winter. For nature lovers, autumn presents a perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors and discover the beauty of British trees and shrubs.
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In this blog, we’ll guide you through some of the most common trees and shrubs you’ll encounter during an autumn walk. You’ll learn how to identify them by their distinctive leaves and berries and gain a deeper appreciation of the role they play in the ecosystem as food sources for wildlife. Whether you’re exploring woodlands, hedgerows, or your local park, there’s always something new to discover as the season unfolds.
The Science Behind Autumn Leaves and Berries
As summer turns to autumn, trees and shrubs undergo a series of changes to prepare for winter. The process behind the beautiful colours we see in autumn leaves is linked to the breakdown of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, chlorophyll production slows down, allowing other pigments—carotenoids (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (red and purple)—to become more visible.
Similarly, many shrubs produce berries in autumn, which act as a crucial food source for birds and mammals. The bright colours of these berries help attract animals, who then disperse the seeds after eating the fruit, aiding the plant's reproduction.
Common Autumn Trees to Identify
Autumn is an ideal time to learn how to identify trees. The following species can be recognised by their striking autumn foliage and features:
Oak (Quercus robur): Oaks are one of Britain’s most iconic trees. In autumn, the leaves of the oak turn shades of brown and russet. Their distinctive lobed leaves and acorns make them easy to identify.
Leaves: Rounded lobes, dark green in summer, turning brown in autumn.
Berries/Fruit: Acorns, which drop in autumn and provide food for squirrels, jays, and other wildlife.
Silver Birch (Betula pendula): With its elegant white bark and delicate branches, the silver birch is one of the first trees to turn yellow in autumn.
Leaves: Small, triangular leaves that turn golden yellow.
Berries/Fruit: Small winged seeds, often dispersed by wind.
Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Beech trees display a stunning range of colours in autumn, from golden yellow to deep copper.
Leaves: Oval-shaped with a wavy margin, turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and brown.
Berries/Fruit: Beech nuts (known as mast), which provide food for birds and mammals like badgers and deer.
Field Maple (Acer campestre): A native British maple, the field maple’s leaves turn a striking golden yellow in autumn.
Leaves: Smaller than the more common sycamore, with five rounded lobes.
Berries/Fruit: Winged seeds known as "samaras" that are spread by the wind.
Shrubs with Distinctive Autumn Berries
Shrubs are also easy to identify in autumn thanks to their distinctive berries, which brighten up the landscape and provide essential food for wildlife:
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): In autumn, hawthorn produces red berries (known as haws) that are a favourite among birds, especially thrushes and blackbirds.
Leaves: Small, deeply lobed with a serrated edge, turning yellow and brown.
Berries/Fruit: Bright red haws that last well into winter.
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): Also known as the mountain ash, rowan is famous for its clusters of red berries, which ripen in late summer and early autumn.
Leaves: Compound leaves with 5-8 pairs of leaflets, turning yellow or red in autumn.
Berries/Fruit: Bright red berries that attract birds like waxwings and fieldfares.
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): Known for its small purple-black fruits called sloes, blackthorn is a common sight in British hedgerows.
Leaves: Small, oval leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
Berries/Fruit: Dark purple sloes, often used to make sloe gin.
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea): Dogwood is easily identified by its dark red stems and black berries in autumn.
Leaves: Oval leaves that turn a deep red or purple in autumn.
Berries/Fruit: Small, black berries, although these are less popular with wildlife than those of other shrubs.
How to Identify Trees and Shrubs by Their Bark and Twigs
Even when the leaves have fallen and berries have been eaten, trees and shrubs can still be identified by their bark and twigs:
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior): Ash trees have smooth, pale grey bark that becomes fissured with age. Look for the characteristic black buds on their twigs during winter.
Bark: Smooth and grey when young, becoming more textured with age.
Twigs: Thick with distinctive black buds at the tips.
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus): The bark of a sycamore often has a patchy, peeling appearance, revealing shades of green and orange underneath.
Bark: Peeling, patchy bark with a greyish hue.
Twigs: Stout with paired buds.
Elder (Sambucus nigra): Elder can be identified by its corky, ridged bark and strong-smelling twigs.
Bark: Corky and deeply furrowed.
Twigs: Thin, brittle twigs with a distinctive musty smell when broken.
The Importance of Autumn Trees and Shrubs for Wildlife
As the temperatures drop and food sources become scarcer, autumn berries and fallen nuts become vital for wildlife. Many birds rely on the berries produced by shrubs like hawthorn, blackthorn, and rowan. Migrating birds, such as redwings and fieldfares, feast on these berries to fuel their journeys south. Squirrels and other small mammals hoard acorns, beech nuts, and other fruits to see them through the winter.
Additionally, fallen leaves provide shelter for insects and other small creatures, while decaying leaves enrich the soil, creating a fertile environment for new growth in the spring. Trees like oak and beech also provide important nesting sites for birds and habitats for fungi and insects, contributing to a rich and diverse ecosystem.
Tips for Identifying Trees and Shrubs in Autumn
If you’re keen to get outside and start identifying trees and shrubs this autumn, here are some helpful tips:
Look for Distinctive Leaves: Autumn is the best time to observe the changing colours of leaves. Bring along a field guide to help you match leaves to their species.
Pay Attention to Berries and Fruits: The appearance of berries can be one of the easiest ways to identify shrubs, especially in hedgerows.
Check the Bark and Twigs: If the leaves have already fallen, observe the bark and twigs for key features that can help with identification.
Join a Guided Walk: Attending a guided tree and shrub identification walk is a great way to learn from experts and gain hands-on experience. See our Eventbrite page for upcoming events.
Conclusion
Autumn offers a wonderful opportunity to observe the striking colours and unique features of Britain’s trees and shrubs. By learning to identify species based on their leaves, berries, and bark, you can deepen your appreciation of the natural world and contribute to conservation efforts by understanding the important roles these plants play in supporting wildlife. So, grab your field guide and take a stroll through the woods or along a hedgerow this autumn—there’s so much to discover!
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