Hadrian's Wall Sycamore Gap Tree Stump Shows 'Encouraging' Signs
BBC News reports on the recovery of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree stump on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, three years after it was illegally felled.
The Incident and Aftermath
On September 28, 2023, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers traveled during a storm from Cumbria to cut down the landmark tree. Their actions sparked outrage, leading to their subsequent arrest and conviction for criminal damage. The pair were jailed for four years and three months in July 2025.
Recovery Efforts
The National Trust fenced off the stump to promote its recovery, with Andrew Poad, general manager, expressing hope about the tree's course of regeneration. He attributes the new growth of thick rings of shoots around the stump to the protective measures taken, including soil compaction reduction and minimal human disturbance.
Preservation Efforts
After the tree was felled, National Trust staff kept seedlings at a secret center to preserve the landmark's legacy. Saplings were later donated to community groups and charities nationwide, sparking art projects highlighting nature's importance.
The Sycamore Gap Tree's Legacy
Planted in the late 1800s, the Sycamore Gap tree became a beloved visitor destination known globally for its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.