Best trees to see this autumn in London’s Royal Parks
With the summer heatwaves hopefully behind us and autumn around the corner, we've put together a list of some of our favourite trees to see this season.
Whether you visit one or all of them, you'll find yourself immersed in the sights and smells of autumn as you connect with nature in some of London's most beloved outdoor spaces.
We've included the best places to find them across London's Royal Parks as well as when their leaf colours will likely be at their most vibrant so you know when to time your visit. Due to the recent hot weather we recommend heading to see them from early to mid-September onwards as the colours will be brighter earlier in the season.
Enjoy a tree-mendous time this autumn in the Royal Parks!
Weeping silver lime tree
Tree name: Weeping silver lime (Tilia tomentosa)
Best time to see it in colour: Early-mid September onwards
Where to find them: Brompton Cemetery
You can't take an autumn walk in Brompton Cemetery without noticing the beautiful weeping silver lime trees. A deciduous tree that grows between 20-35 metres tall, they live up to their name, with branches that seem to droop sorrowfully and leaves that are a silvery-grey on the back.
‘Weeping’ varieties of trees, like the lime and ash, symbolised mourning and loss for the Victorians and are often found in cemeteries. In fact we think they may have been planted in the cemetery to mark Queen Victoria’s silver jubilee in 1862. However, the queen was in deep mourning after the death of Prince Albert, so she did not officially celebrate her 25 years on the throne.
London plane tree
Tree name: London plane (Platanus ×hispanica)
Best time to see it in colour: Early-mid September onwards
Where to find them: St. James's Park
You’ll find many London plane trees throughout the capital city, and one of its most famous landmarks is no exception! By mid-September a beautiful golden glow will start to shine, framing Buckingham Palace across Blue Bridge.
Traditionally, plane trees start changing their colours around mid-September, but climate change seems to be affecting this, causing earlier colour changes and leaf drop.
Japanese maple
Tree name: Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
Best time to see it in colour: Early-mid September onwards
Where to find them: Greenwich Park
There is a particularly stunning Japanese maple by the Flower Garden Pond in Greenwich Park, which reflects beautifully on the water with its red and yellow colours in the autumn. You can also find one by the Bower Avenue entrance to The Flower Garden and one by the cricket pitch outfield on the perimeter footpath.
The trees look spectacular when they change colour in the autumn with their red, orange and yellow colours, before they drop their leaves for the winter. The usual red colour may not be as bright this year due to the summer heat, but there will still be lovely yellow and bronze tones to see.
Tulip tree
Tree name: Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipfera)
Best time to see it in colour: Early-mid September onwards
Where to find them: The Regent's Park
The American Tulip trees form tree line isles along The Regent’s Park Avenue Gardens. Their characteristic tulip-like flowers provide large amounts of nectar, which is very popular with pollinators.
The flowers usually bloom in late spring to early summer, providing a spectacular display. In September and October you can expect to see beautiful yellow and orange seasonal hues.
Ginkgo tree
Tree name: Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba)
Best time to see it in colour: End of September
Where to find them: Bushy Park
Ginkgo trees are often planted as ornamentals because of their unique foliage and stunning leaf colour, which turn a brilliant golden yellow in autumn. The ginkgo is sometimes called a “living fossil” because it’s the only surviving species of a plant group that dates back over 200 million years!
In Bushy Park they are located near the Pheasantry Café in the Woodland Gardens, so head there to see the beautiful golden colours this autumn.
Visit us this autumn
Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the Royal Parks, with each park offering a unique blend of seasonal colours, sounds and smells. Whether you visit your local park or travel further afield to discover another one of London's eight Royal Parks, we can't wait to welcome you soon!
The importance of trees
Interested in learning more about the importance of trees? As one of the longest living species on earth, trees are vital. The biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife. Discover why trees are so important and how we manage them across London's Royal Parks.
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