Famous Sycamore Gap tree illegally felled in England showing signs of life with regrowth appearing on stump
Ranger Gary Pickles discovered the signs of new life. (The National Trust: Jason Lock)
In short:
There is hope the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree, cut down in northern England, will live on.
Eight new shoots have been discovered on the stump of the landmark, less than one year after the act of vandalism.
What's next?
The National Trust will leave the stumps to grow for a few years to see how they develop.
New signs of life have appeared at the site of the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree, igniting hope the tree lives on.
In an act of vandalism that sparked outrage in Britain, the beloved landmark was illegally chopped down 10 months ago.
But there is now fresh hope the tree — which had stood in a dip in Roman landmark Hadrian's Wall — will live on as eight new shoots have emerged from the base of the stump.
Signs of new life were discovered by a National Park ranger who immediately spotted something different on a regular walk.
One of the eight new shoots growing from the stump of the Sycamore Gap tree. (National Trust Images: Jason Lock)
"I've done this walk several times over the last year, but this time it was different, there was something new — the trunk was showing signs of regeneration," Gary Pickles said.
"I was first at the scene when the tree was discovered felled, and I remember saying hurriedly that it was gone. Now, I hope I can say that it's back."
Each of the tiny new shoots has between one and six small leaves, measuring between 2-4 centimetres each in height.
While it is still early days, there is hope that if left to grow, the new shoots could develop significant new growth to become new trees around the original stump.
The Sycamore Gap tree is regenerating from where it was felled on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. (National Trust Images: Jason Lock)
"It's such welcome news to see that the stump has started to regenerate," Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust at Hadrian's Wall, said.
"We always had hope that nature would find a way to recover and to see signs of life just 10 months on is astonishing.
"The tree was a mature, vigorous tree in its prime when it was felled so there was always the potential for the stump to regenerate and it's fantastic to see the regrowth.
"Our aim is to leave all eight shoots to grow for a few years to see how they develop.
"In time, we'll be able to decide how to manage the tree — as a coppiced stool or considering whether to reduce to a single tree at some point in the future."
Visitors to the site are being asked to not touch the tree stump or the shoots to avoid damage.
The sycamore tree, which was often admired and photographed by visitors, was made famous by Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
The Sycamore Gap tree was discovered cut down in September 2023. (National Trust Images: Bec Hughes)
It had stood for nearly 200 years and was found lying on its side, cut near the base, in September 2023.
Police said it believed the felling to be a deliberate act of vandalism.
Earlier this year, Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, were charged with causing criminal damage to the tree.
They were also charged with damaging the wall built in AD 122 by Emperor Hadrian to guard the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire.
Both have entered not guilty pleas and a trial has been scheduled for December.