Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Sycamore Gap Tree Stump Shows Signs of Life After Vandalism

Three years after being illegally felled, the stump of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in England is showing signs of regrowth, offering hope for its recovery.

Numerous leafy shoots, now two to three feet tall, are sprouting around the stump's base, forming a thick ring. Conservation charity National Trust, which owns the land near Hadrian's Wall, is encouraged by this natural recovery.

Special measures, including reducing soil compaction and limiting human disturbance, are being implemented to give the stump the best chance to thrive. Rangers will monitor its development.

The Sycamore Gap tree was a beloved landmark, famous for its scenic location and appearance in the film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." It was named "English tree of the year" in 2016.

In September 2023, the tree was cut down with a chainsaw, damaging a section of Hadrian's Wall. Two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were convicted of criminal damage and sentenced to prison.

The convicted men have maintained their innocence and have not revealed their motive, though prosecutors suggested it was "mindless thuggery" for "a bit of a laugh."

Efforts to preserve the tree's legacy include displaying a large section of the felled trunk and growing saplings from its seeds, distributed as "Trees of Hope" across the UK.

While the tree will take many years to regain its former majesty, the new growth is seen as a hopeful response to the destructive act.

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