But a far less poetic kind of seasonal change is on the way, as drought and heatwaves scorch our landscape.

For the leaves are turning brown in what experts call a "false autumn", triggered by the continuing high temperatures and prolonged dry spell, as thirsty trees battle to survive.

Parched leaves at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Leaves are turning early on the trees on King's Avenue, at Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Steve Collin, nature conservation manager with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: "Broadleaf trees lose water through their leaves. 

"When the roots of the trees detect very dry conditions some trees deliberately shed their leaves early. This reduces the amount of water they lose which helps them survive the drought.

"Beech and birch are particularly quick to do this, and so they can start to look autumnal surprisingly early. "

Leaves are turning in leafy Dersingham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Steve Collin, from Norfolk Wildlife Trust (Image: Rachael Murray)

Mr Collin said if leaves turn brown and fall off as they would in autumn, this is usually a sign that the tree is coping with the dry........

© Norwich Evening News