Police investigating after iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland felled
The tree, on Hadrian's Wall Path, is one of the most photographed in the world
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
The picture above shows the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in all its glory.
But overnight, 27th September, it's been felled.
The leader of Northumberland County Council has expressed his shock and anger at the felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “Today is a very sad day for our county.
“I am finding it difficult to express the shock, anger and hurt I feel at the destruction of this iconic landmark.
“The Sycamore Gap tree has stood for centuries and is known throughout the world. For it to be felled in what is clearly a deliberate act is absolutely terrible and I’m sure I speak for everyone in the county when I say how upset I was when I heard the news this morning.
“We will of course be supporting the Northumberland National Park and all other agencies to see what can be done going forward, but at this time all I can do is share in the sadness caused by this apparently senseless act of vandalism.”
A police spokesperson said:
“We can confirm an investigation has been launched following damage to the Sycamore Gap Tree in Northumberland. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed.”
Northumberland National Park Authority have released a statement.
In it they say "We can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night. We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled.
We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known.
Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust’s awards and is much-loved by people from across the world.
Northumberland National Park Authority would like to ask the public not to visit the site at this time whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe."
Guy Opperman, Member of Parliament for Hexham said:
'Sadly, it is true that the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap has been deliberately cut down overnight. It is too early to speculate who did this appalling act, but this is criminal damage, and an attack on one of the nation's most famous trees.
Many people across Northumberland will have their own special memory of Sycamore Gap. I was here only ten days ago.
Northumbria Police are very much involved, and I am in regular contact with Northumberland National Park Authority to find out how this has happened. This was not an act by any of the official organisations who are responsible for Hadrian's Wall, the World Heritage Sites, or the National Park, who are all devastated.'
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, said:
"I’m devastated that the famous Sycamore is gone. That tree was ours. It was an iconic North East landmark standing tall in our beautiful Northumberland. I am incandescent that this looks like a deliberate act of vandalism. I’ll be raising this personally today. I know Northumbria Police are at the scene and officers will do their utmost to catch whoever is behind this. Terrible news."
Wansbeck Ian Lavery MP said:
‘The news this morning that it appears as though the iconic Sycamore Gap Tree has been deliberately cut down is shocking and disgusting.
To lose such an important local landmark that has stood for centuries to such mindless vandalism is a devastating waste and I hope that the culprits will be identified and brought to justice as quickly as possible.’
The tree featured in a key scene of the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and has subsequently become known as the "Robin Hood Tree". It appeared in the music video for Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It for You which featured on the film's soundtrack:
You've been reacting to the news in your droves on our X (formerly known as Twitter) post.
Some simply asked "Is this a joke????? Why????" while others described it as "heartbreaking"
As it stands we do not know if this was scheduled to be felled or if this has been done in error or an act of vandalism.
The sycamore tree before it was felled
The scene after the tree had been cut down
If you've been to the Sycamore Gap recently please share your picutres with us on X/Twitter.