PREVIEW

One of Britain’s most beloved trees is showing new signs of life as seedlings are returning on the site of the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.


Growing from the base of the stump, eight new shoots have emerged in July giving hope that the tree lives on, ten months since it was felled in 2023.

The famed sycamore tree had stood in a dip in Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland National Park, before it was felled in an act of vandalism last autumn, sparking an unprecedented public response.
The tree was not only a much loved landmark - but also internationally famous having featured in the blockbuster Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Each of the tiny new shoots has between one and six small leaves measuring between 2-4cm each in height, equivalent in size to between a 20 or 50 pence piece, and while it’s early days, the National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority is hopeful that if left to grow, the new shoots could develop significant new growth to form as ‘new’ trees around the original stump.

The regrowth was spotted by Northumberland National Park Authority ranger, Gary Pickles, as part of routine checks in the area.
He said: “It was serendipitous that I decided to walk up to Sycamore Gap to recce a guided walk planned for September, almost a year to the anniversary. 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.  

“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!  

“My job as ranger for Hadrian’s Wall Path is all about conserving the past. So, in my head I had consigned the tree to history and so I am amazed and delighted that it may have a future after all and is making a go of it.”  

Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, said: “It’s such welcome news to see that the stump has started to regenerate. We always had hope that nature would find a way to recover, and to see signs of life, just ten 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.

“We’ll also do what we can to protect the root zone, and to avoid any compaction.”

Andrew continued: “The next few weeks and months are vitally important for the success of these shoots forming into the reinvigorated tree.

“We respectfully ask that any visitors to the site keep away from the stump and to not touch the shoots. We appreciate what a special location this is to many people, but we are asking people not to leave ashes in the area – either on the stump or the surrounding ground – as they could significantly hinder the growing process by limiting the absorption of essential nutrients from the soil.”

Tony Gates, Chief Executive Officer, Northumberland National Park concluded: “This is such welcome news and really demonstrates the power of nature to regenerate. I know this news will bring hope to many people and a smile to many faces and we will watch and wait to see how these shoots develop. I am genuinely intrigued to see what nature will give us.

"The ability of nature to recover is immense and we reflect on this more at a landscape and global scale. The future of this regrowth and much of nature's recovery will depend on the actions of people and we ask visitors to respect the site, follow the guidance of the National Park and the National Trust and hopefully we can all celebrate new growth each year.”

The National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority will continue to monitor the growth of the shoots and there are plans to extend the fencing around the site to ensure the tree roots are protected.

In the meantime, seedlings gathered in the aftermath of the tree’s felling continue to flourish at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre.

Working together with Northumberland National Park, Historic England and the Hadrian's Wall Partnership, plans for the saplings are still developing, with teams remaining hopeful that the saplings will be ready for planting in the next 12-24 months.

The organisations are also planning a range of responses to the tree’s felling in September, which will include work with local schools, tree planting initiatives in Northumberland, and further artistic interpretations. Details about these will be announced next month.