Milton Keynes - The name alone conjures up images of concrete cows, a grid style road system with a roundabout at every turn and the slug on the landscape that is the Snodome.
Look a little closer and you will realise that MK was built around the tree. They line all the roads - both major and minor and are a shield for each individual estate from prying eyes and road noise. They have become synonymous with MK and are an essential part of how it looks. Some people may laugh, but where else would you find a town where when the original plans were drawn up 40 years ago, provision was made for the humble tree to the point that it was to become an integral part of the plans.
As MK has grown, so have the trees. They are a rich source of food and provide habitats to many birds, insects and mammals, and with over 20 million trees, its no wonder MK has been called "The city of trees".
At this time of year, they can rival even New England for a fantastic display of autumn colour. A row of mature ash trees line both side of the street where I live, and at the moment they are turning from green to a rich vibrant red. All around the trees are changing, and no two colours are the same. Muted greens and aluminous yellows are mixed with golden oranges, russet reds and intense purples, which are all offset against a backdrop of deep greens provided by conifers and firs. This contrast of colours allows the autumn hues to shine through even on the dullest of days. Take a walk around one of the many lakes, and these colours take on another dimension when reflected on the calm water. Of course, once the leaves start to fall, the child in us all emerges. Who can resist walking through a think pile of crunchy leaves?!
There is no denying that this is Mother Nature at her most striking, a last gasp before the final onset of winter if you will.