News

Our statement on the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree

Published:: 28 September 2023
Last updated:: 12 October 2023

The Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall moved by crane on 12 October 2023, Northumberland, with landscape in the background — Moving the Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall by crane, Northumberland | © National Trust/Bec Hughes

For nearly 200 years, the iconic sycamore tree stood tall as a striking image at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort in Northumberland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were shocked and saddened when it was felled on 27 September. We're now carefully considering what's possible for the future of the site and the tree.

The tree has now been carefully moved from Hadrian's Wall and safely stored. This was a complex and difficult operation, at a very sensitive site, and we're grateful to everyone who assisted with this work. We've retained the tree in large sections, which means we can keep all options open as to what it becomes in future. Moving the tree will preserve Hadrian's Wall, which is a 1,900-year-old monument, and will make the site safe for visitors again.

During the past fortnight, we've collected seeds from the tree, which are being looked after by specialist propagators at our Plant Conservation Centre. We've also installed a temporary fence to protect the tree’s stump, which may begin to sprout new shoots in time.

Over the coming weeks, we'll work with partners such as Northumberland National Park and involve the public to find the best way of paying tribute to this much-loved tree.

Due to the nature of the site, which is designated by UNESCO and a scheduled ancient monument, our plans must be carefully thought through.

We're very grateful for all the offers of support and thousands of tributes we've received from people in the North East of England and further afield.

If you'd like to get in touch with suggestions for the future of the site and the tree, please email us at sycamoregap@nationaltrust.org.uk. We kindly ask people to please bear with us while we consider what might be possible.

It’s clear that this tree captured the imaginations of so many people who visited, and that it held a special – and often poignant – place in many people’s hearts.

A quote by Andrew Poad General Manager at Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort

The history of the Sycamore Gap tree

This iconic sycamore tree was planted in the late 1800s by the previous landowner, John Clayton, to be a feature in the landscape. The land and the tree came into our care in the 1940s.

The tree found fame when it featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991 and was also awarded the English Tree of the Year award by the Woodland Trust in 2016.