The Sycamore Gap Tree is showing encouraging signs of recovery three years after it was illegally cut down at the famous Northumberland landmark.
A thick ring of fresh shoots has emerged around the stump of the much-loved tree, prompting hope that it can continue growing after the shocking act of vandalism in September 2023. The National Trust, which looks after the site with Northumberland National Park, has been carefully monitoring its progress.
Sycamore Gap Tree shows new signs of life
The historic tree was felled on 28 September 2023 when Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers travelled from their homes in Cumbria during a storm and used a chainsaw to cut it down.
The destruction caused widespread outrage because the tree had become one of northern England’s most recognisable landmarks. It stood beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and had attracted visitors, photographers and artists for generations.
Andrew Poad, general manager at the National Trust, said he was “filled with hope by the way nature is taking its course” as the stump continues to produce new growth.
“These flourishing shoots are really encouraging and show the special measures we’ve taken, including reducing soil compaction around the roots and limiting human disturbance, are paying off,” he said.
The National Trust fenced off the stump after the felling to protect it while its ability to recover was assessed. The organisation said its rangers will continue monitoring the tree and manage it according to how it develops.
Hadrian’s Wall landmark protected after felling
The new growth has appeared after measures were taken to give the remaining stump the best possible opportunity to survive. Visitors have also been thanked for supporting efforts to reduce disturbance around the protected area.
The National Trust had previously kept seedlings from the tree at a secret location following its destruction, with the aim of preserving the legacy of the famous landmark. Saplings were later donated to community groups and charities across the country.
Art projects were also launched using the tree’s story to highlight the importance of nature and condemn the illegal felling.
The Sycamore Gap Tree had been planted in the late 1800s and became a distinctive feature of Hadrian’s Wall, the former frontier of the Roman Empire. Its setting helped make it a popular destination for visitors to Northumberland.
Sycamore Gap felling led to prison sentences
Graham and Carruthers were sentenced to four years and three months in July 2025 for their roles in cutting down the tree.
At the time of their conviction, Graham was 39 and Carruthers was 32. Graham was a groundworker from near Carlisle, while Carruthers worked as a mechanic in Wigton.
The pair filmed themselves carrying out the act and took a section of the trunk away as a trophy. During their trial, neither provided an explanation for their motive, while both sought to place responsibility on the other.
The court case followed the destruction of a tree that had become internationally recognised. Its appearance in a scene from the 1991 film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, helped give the landmark global attention.
Northumberland landmark begins new chapter
Despite the damage caused by the illegal felling, the fresh shoots around the stump have provided a positive development for the site.
The National Trust says it will continue watching the Sycamore Gap Tree closely as it develops, while maintaining measures intended to protect the remaining growth.
For a landmark that had stood at Hadrian’s Wall for more than a century, the new shoots offer a visible sign that the story of the Sycamore Gap Tree may not have ended with its destruction.