Sycamore Gap Tree: A Year On from the Deliberate Felling of the Iconic Landmark
It has been 18 months since the world was shocked by the news of the deliberate felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, a beloved landmark on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. The tree, which had become an iconic symbol of England’s natural beauty, was cut down in the early hours of September 28, 2023, sparking widespread outrage and grief.
According to the BBC, park ranger Gary Pickles was the first to arrive at the scene after receiving a call from a farmer reporting the tree was down. Initially, Gary thought it was a prank, but as he approached the site, he realised the tree had been deliberately chopped down. "It was shock," he said. "Where once had stood arguably England’s favourite tree, there was now just air."
The news of the tree’s felling spread rapidly, with viral photographs shared on social media showing the tree on its side. The PR teams at the National Park and the National Trust frantically collaborated on an official response, confirming the tree had been cut down in a statement released shortly before 11:00 BST. Northumbria Police announced it was being treated as "a deliberate act of vandalism" around midday.
The international interest in the story surprised both Gary and Andrew Poad, general manager at the National Trust. "It was like ringing people up to tell them that someone had passed away," Andrew said. "On the day I was using the expression ‘it’s like losing a loved one’. We all went through that grief."
The aftermath of the felling was still a big part of Andrew’s job, he revealed. "It’s still a huge part of my life dealing with this. It’s a big gap in all our lives, never mind the landscape." For Gary, the experience was equally traumatic. "My sister lives in France, my brother is in America, and by dinner time they’d both rung me, so it was global news at such a fast rate," he said.
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have been found guilty of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. The deliberate felling of the tree angered people around the world, with many taking to social media to express their sadness and outrage. The tree had become a popular tourist destination, with many visiting the site to see its stump.
The investigation into the felling of the tree was led by Northumbria Police, who gathered evidence and took statements from witnesses. The police’s efforts were aided by the National Trust and Northumberland National Park, who provided support and resources.
As the world marked 18 months since the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, many reflected on the significance of the landmark and the impact its loss had on the community. The tree may be gone, but its memory lives on, and efforts to preserve its legacy continue.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural heritage and the impact that human actions can have on the environment. The Sycamore Gap tree may be gone, but its impact will be felt for years to come.
In the words of Andrew Poad, "It’s just senseless. Who or what were they trying to get at?" The felling of the Sycamore Gap tree remains a mystery, but one thing is certain – it will never be forgotten.
The BBC has been reporting extensively on the Sycamore Gap tree and its legacy, bringing readers up-to-date with the latest developments. For more information, visit the BBC website.
This article was informed by reporting from the BBC’s Senior Investigations Reporter, Martin Lindsay.
