One of the most famous trees in Britain has been tragically destroyed, bringing grief to the nation. This centuries-old sycamore, known as the Sycamore Gap tree, grew in a narrow space between hills along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. Arborists have reassured the public that the tree is not completely lost, as it is expected to produce new shoots next spring. “It’s a remarkably healthy tree, and we can confirm that from the condition of the stump. It has the potential to regrow from the stump, and if we carefully nurture it, this could be the best outcome,” says Andrew Poad, manager at the National Trust, quoted by the BBC.
The age of the tree was estimated to be around 300 years, although it hasn’t been confirmed through ring counting. Experts believe that while regrowth is possible, it will not be the same as before, at least within our lifetimes. Mark Feather, from the Woodland Trust, explains, “It will take several years for it to develop into a small tree again, and around 150 to 200 years before it reaches a similar size to what we have lost. Unfortunately, once a tree of this age is gone, it cannot be replaced within a visible timeframe. It takes centuries.” The Chronicle reports that Rob Ternert, head gardener at the nearby Alnwick Garden, predicts that there will be “bushy” growth of around 8 feet in height at the stump by next spring.
Robert Macfarlane, a landscape writer and poet, expressed his dismay at the loss of this iconic tree, as reported by the Guardian. He stated, “It was a tree that had featured in films like Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It was a tree under which people got married and where ashes were scattered. It provided shelter for weary hikers.” Macfarlane views this act of destruction as part of a larger “war on nature” and suggests that the best way to honor the fallen tree would be to plant an entire forest in its place. The AP reports that a 16-year-old boy, who was taken into custody on suspicion of causing criminal damage, was released on bail on Friday. (Read more United Kingdom stories.)
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