The world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, criminally felled two weeks ago, has been carefully removed from its home on Hadrian’s Wall. The operation, which took place on Thursday, was described by the National Trust as a chance to draw a line under the saga and look to the future.
A crane from Manchester was used for the challenging job, with a team of workers cutting the 50ft tree into manageable sections. The process was slow due to the site’s status as an ancient monument, national park, and world heritage site. The felling also caused damage to the wall, further delaying the work.
The timber will now be taken to an undisclosed location to season naturally before being used to create something new, such as a memorial bench or sculpture. The National Trust expects the stump to regrow and plans to protect it from grazing cattle and sheep.
Andrew Poad, the National Trust’s general manager, compared the day to a funeral but expressed optimism. “In forestry terms, it has been coppiced and it will regrow,” he said. The tree was planted about 130 years ago by landowner John Clayton, who Poad described as a visionary who took the long-term view.
The National Trust has received numerous suggestions for the tree’s future use, but decisions will take months. Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, said the day brought mixed emotions but hope from the public reaction. “My hope is that from one negative and selfish act we get 1,000 positive ones,” he said.
Northumbria Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy and a man in his 60s in connection with the felling. They have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
