Going out with a bang!

We get lots of phone calls at this time of year – all asking the same questions – when is the best time to visit for autumn colour? When will the maples be at their best?

These are tricky questions to answer… part of the beauty of having a collection of trees from around the world is that they don’t all show their autumn colour at the same time. Even among the native trees this is true. Autumn by its very nature is a succession of ever-changing colour.

So, the best we can do is to show you some highlights from our forays out into the tree collection.

We start off with a real stop-you-in-your-tracks, take-your-breath-away autumn stunner… the bright yellow leaves of Juglans nigra, the black walnut. You’ll find this particular specimen on Main Drive, as you head towards Acer Glade.

Also on this route, just before you veer left onto Specimen Avenue, you’ll see the abundant fruit of Sorbus pseudohupehensis (mountain ash). Sorbus can be overlooked during autumn, but we think you’ll agree that the colour of the fruit here is stunning!

There are several routes into Acer Glade, if you’re willing to don your Wellington boots and risk a little mud. If you approach via Colour Circle, you’ll see flaming leaved Persian ironwood and smell the wonderful burnt sugar scent of Katsura.

In Acer Glade itself there is some delightful colour right now. Catch it in the right light and many of the specimens seem to give off a bright glow.

The variety of colours on display may also surprise you. Not just red, but orange, yellow and even purple!

Savvy photographers arrive here when we open our gates at 9am, allowing them to catch the best of the autumn colour in the morning light. Whatever time of day you visit, you won’t be disappointed… these trees really are going out with a bang!

If you'd like to share your photographs of Westonbirt with other visitors in our Welcome Building, why not add them to our Flickr pool?