The Sycamore Gap Tree - What is it and Why is it in the News?

The Sycamore gap tree is said to be the most photographed tree in the UK it stood in the Northumberland National Park and was a vital part of the community.

The iconic tree was known for its picturesque qualities and its thriving acting career after it featured in the 1991 blockbuster 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' alongside Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.

But, on the night of the 27th of September into the 28th the famous Sycamore gap tree was illegally felled and a stump was left behind reminding the public of what had been lost.

The felling of the 2016 English Tree of the Year is being investigated by Northumbria Police as it is believed to be a deliberate act of vandalism, so far a 16-year-old boy and a man in his 60s have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, and both have been released on bail.

Northumbria Police continue to enquire about the nature of the crime as they hope to secure closure for the community who are distraught, Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said;

The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield

Messages of sadness and anger have poured out across social media, with locals and photographers posting the last photo they took of the Sycamore. Among those expressing their disbelief and even grief is the General Manager of the National Trust Andrew Poad said in a statement;

We are deeply shocked at what appears to be an act of vandalism. The tree has been an important and iconic feature in the landscape for nearly 200 years and means a lot to the local community and to anyone who has visited the site.

Experts have said that new shoots will grow from the healthy stump that rests by Hadrian Wall but it will never be the same again.