The National Trust has released new photographs showing a thick ring of shoots around the Sycamore Gap stump at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, three years after the tree was illegally felled.
New growth at the site
The new growth stands two to three feet tall and demonstrates the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, according to the conservation charity. The tree was illegally felled on September 28, 2023, by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the sycamore during a storm.
The destruction caused a national outcry and international headlines when the pair were jailed for criminal damage to the tree and the ancient wall. In a bid to see if the stump would recover, the remains of the tree were fenced off.
National Trust response
Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, said: “These flourishing shoots are really encouraging and show that the special measures we’ve taken, including reducing soil compaction around the roots and limiting human disturbance, are paying off. We’re grateful to all the visitors who, through the care they are taking, are supporting our efforts to protect the tree and give it the best possible chance to thrive.
“We’re monitoring the tree closely and, over time, our rangers will manage it depending on how it develops. But for now, we’re filled with hope by the way nature is taking its course.”
Future plans
Saplings have been grown from seeds found at the site and arts projects have been launched to show the importance of nature in the modern world.
