This summer brought more than record temperatures. It brought early signs of autumn. Leaves are turning brown and falling, berries are ripening, and the landscape is shifting early. But this is not the real season change. It is what experts call a false autumn, where plants and trees react to extreme heat and drought as if colder weather has arrived.

The 2025 summer in the UK was the warmest on record, driven by dry springs, lingering heatwaves, and elevated sea temperatures. That combination has pushed trees into survival mode, shedding leaves to conserve water rather than simply responding to calendar changes.

This shift is not just about appearance. It signals deeper ecological stress. The early leaf fall and seasonal disruption can affect tree health and make them more vulnerable to disease and decay. Wildlife ecosystems are also affected. Species that rely on seasonal cues like insects and birds may struggle as timing mismatches become more common.

This false autumn offers a vivid reminder. Nature’s timing is shifting. As heat and drought intensify, these premature seasonal cues are becoming a clear signal that our ecosystem rhythms are out of sync with a changing climate.