Remarkable history of felled Sycamore Gap tree from film icon to bitter feud

The which once stood proudly in a dip next to in was chopped down in a shocking act of vandalism, causing uproar among locals. But what do we know about its remarkable history?

The beloved Sycamore tree was the scene of marriage proposals, sentimental moments, and the scattering of ashes, and held deep personal significance to many of those in the area. When it was illegally felled in the early morning of September 28, 2023, Brits up and down the country expressed dismay and outrage.

were convicted of two counts of criminal damage earlier this week after cutting down the famous Sycamore Tree.

Here, the takes a look at the rich 150-year history of this special tree, which has been immortalised in film, photographs, and countless memories.

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The famous tree had been growing in a natural dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland for approximately 150 years before it was savagely cut down by the men who could now face up to 10 years in prison.

Close to the village of Once Brewed, the Northumberland National Park Authority stated that the site was its "most-photographed spot"

In late 2016, it was even crowned English Tree of the Year in the Woodland Trust's awards. It has also made its way into literature, with author LJ Ross, whose second novel was named after the tree, having previously spoken about how many creatives "felt inspired" by it.

It was also a focal point along the 84-mile (135km) Hadrian's Wall route between Wallsend in North Tyneside and Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria and has been described as a ‘symbol of the North East’.

The tree became famous after appearing in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. Afterwards, it gained the nickname the Robin Hood Tree, although in reality, it was some 170 miles (273 km) from Sherwood Forest.

The National Trust, which looks after the site with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said it was planted in the late 1800s by previous landowner John Clayton to be a "feature in the landscape".

Sadly, the tree is no more, with jurors at Newcastle hearing how Graham and Carruthers thad filmed themselves on their 'moronic mission' before bragging about their crime in text messages. Carruthers was said to have been motivated by a desire to get a trophy from the tree as a 'souvenir' for his newborn daughter.

Meanwhile, a decision made shortly before his trial saw Cumberland council decree eviction from the land Graham used to call home, and he is embroiled in a bitter feud with his family.

It's claimed that Graham held a grudge against authorities who rejected his bid to live near Hadrian's Wall. In 2022, he applied for a 'Lawful Development Certificate'. The ground worker took up residence in a caravan next to his stables at Millbeck Stables on the edge of Carlisle, Cumbria, within Hadrian's Wall's UNESCO World Heritage site 'buffer zone'.

In the aftermath of the felling, people were keen to share their memories of the tree and why it was so special to them. One social media user tweeted: "The saddest part of Sycamore Gap being felled is that positive human interactions that have existed with it for years have gone to memory. Marriage proposals, generations of families walking along Hadrian's Wall as tradition to see it, ashes scattered, star gazing etc."

Another commented: "I am grieving all over again. I scattered my brother's ashes here. This was our place. This was a place in which I found calm and solace, my grounding and orientation. This place means everything to me. This is more than upsetting right now."

Hairy Biker Si King, who grew up in County Durham, posted on social media that a "sentinel of time and elemental spirit of Northumberland" had been "murdered".

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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