DROUGHT BRINGS AUTUMN EARLY

Like most of the country, Chillingham Park has seen little in the way of proper rain since February. Fortunately, we have had occasional showers and not too much burning sun so the grass has kept growing through the summer. The streams have also kept flowing so the cattle have not been short of food and drink.

As we come to the tail end of summer, the effects of the drought on other vegetation is becoming more obvious. The braken turned much earlier than normal, trees have fruited a lot earlier, with acorns already dropping. Leaves are also falling and some trees are already giving the appearance of autumn.

The tree depicted is the old Beech tree situated in the middle of the Hay Field. It has already shed the majority of its leaves. It will have been planted c1800 when the Park was re-landscaped. Beech have a lifespan of 230-50 years. We have already lost quite a few of the old Beech in the Park. Will this one be next? Time will tell.