Leaves bud earlier in warmer climate

Earlier budburst of trees is directly linked to warmer springs, researchers have concluded.

A study between the Met Office and Woodland Trust has revealed the timing of leaves appearing on trees in the UK is related to the average temperature in March. However, the effects were found to vary considerably depending on tree species and region. A 1C temperature difference during March was associated with later or earlier budburst of between three days for alder in the South East and six days for European larch in the North East.

These results back up earlier studies revealing an overall long-term trend of earlier budburst in the UK as average spring temperatures have warmed.

The study of the timing of natural events and their relationship to climate is known as phenology and the results are recorded on the Woodland Trust’s Nature’s Calendar survey.