Blog
29 October 2025
As the days grow shorter and the air takes on a crispness that signals the turn of the season, Emmanuel College’s gardens and trees transform into a vibrant tapestry of golds, russets, and scarlets. Autumn is one of the most beautiful times to walk through the College grounds – the reflections in the ponds shimmer with colour, and every pathway seems to glow beneath canopies of changing leaves.
Among the college’s most striking trees at this time of year are the liquidambar by the Paddock, which turn deep crimson and purple, and the golden ginkgo that brightens the Fellows' Garden with fan-shaped leaves. The lime tree on the gravel drive shifts gradually from a rich green to a mellow yellow, while the parrotia in Chapman’s Garden put on a spectacular display of vibrant yellow.
But what causes this annual spectacle? The answer lies in the chemistry of the leaves themselves. During spring and summer, chlorophyll – the green pigment essential for photosynthesis – dominates, capturing sunlight and converting it into the energy that fuels the tree’s growth. As autumn approaches and daylight diminishes, the trees prepare for winter dormancy. Chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops, revealing other pigments that were hidden beneath the green.
Carotenoids, responsible for the yellows and oranges we see in species such as birch and beech, remain in the leaves after chlorophyll fades. Anthocyanins, which produce reds and purples, are created anew in some trees as sugars become trapped in the leaves during the cool nights and bright days of early autumn. The balance of these pigments – combined with the particular weather patterns of each year – determines the intensity and range of autumn colour we enjoy.
At Emmanuel, the gardeners take great care to nurture this seasonal richness. Trees are selected and tended, not only for their health and form, but also for their contribution to the beauty of the College throughout the year. In autumn, this careful stewardship rewards all who pass through the courts and gardens with a reminder of the cycles of nature and the quiet splendour that accompanies change.
Whether viewed from a study window, on a walk between lectures, or during a reflective moment by the pond, the autumn colours at Emmanuel are a source of delight and inspiration – a vivid celebration of the turning year within the heart of Cambridge.
This autumn colour, however, may be short-lived due to the heavy rain and extreme winds. The team are busy chasing the leaves, often clearing an area, only to turn their backs to find the tree has shed more leaves.
Brendon Sims, Head Gardener