A sad tale from Sycamore Gap

The Sycamore Gap tree has been cut down.

The tree stands in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall in the Northumberland National Park and has become famous around the world. It is looked after by both Northumberland National Park and the National Trust and is loved by photographers who have captured stunning images of the tree under the park's dark skies. The landmark is also known as the Robin Hood Tree, after featuring in the 1991 Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. 

The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the most photographed trees in the country. 

This morning park bosses confirmed that the tree is sadly no longer standing after being "deliberately felled" overnight. Northumbria Police launched an investigation and a 16-year-old male was arrested. He was now been released on bail, pending further enquiries. 

But what of the future? 

National Trust general manager Andrew Poad told BBC Breakfast the stump was “healthy” and staff might be able to coppice the tree, a technique allowing new shoots to grow from the base of a trunk. He said: “It’s a very healthy tree, we can see that now, because of the condition of the stump, it may well regrow a coppice from the stump, and if we could nurture that then that might be one of the best outcomes, and then we keep the tree.” 

Rob Ternent, head gardener at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, said the tree will start growing again but “won’t ever be the same shape or as good of a tree as it was”. He told the PA news agency: “It’s worth a try but I think livestock and wildlife will potentially damage it as well. It’ll be very difficult to get it back to the original tree. The growing season’s coming to an end now but by spring next year it will have some life in it. It’ll probably be about eight foot tall, but it’ll be lots of singular branches, more bushy. It was about 300 years old so it’ll take a long time to get back to that size. It’s a massive shame.” 

And, putting as postive a spin on events as he can, forester Chris Brewchorne told Facebook: "The tree isn't dead or gone and will regrow vigorously from the stump. Ironically the little toerag who chopped it may have done it a favour and extended its life. Acers (European sycamores are Acer Pseudoplanatus) react very well to cutting and respond with strong regrowth. They used to be coppiced to stumps to regrow into fresh poles harvested on a 15 year cycle. In a few weeks it'll be covered in shoots and new growth, next year it'll be a thicket of branches, and in 5 years maybe 30 feet high. It'll arise phoenix like from its ruin. Here are before and after pics of acers (sycamore and field maple) I've chopped deliberately to improve their stability and form and extend their lives. They're all thriving."

A terrible act of apparently mindless vandalism. And a tragic loss to the countryside and to local history

But maybe also a new start.