Iconic Sycamore Gap tree from Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves felled 'deliberately' by chainsaw

28 September 2023, 11:09 | Updated: 28 September 2023, 12:51

Famous Northumberland Sycamore Gap tree ‘deliberately felled’

An iconic tree that featured in Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves has been cut down with police suspecting foul play.

One UK's most photographed trees, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap, has come down overnight after being "deliberately felled," the Northumberland National Park Authority said.

The famous tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall, was made famous by actor Kevin Costner when it appeared in his 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Police said they were investigating whether a criminal offence had been committed after pictures emerged on Thursday morning of the tree lying on its side by the wall, after apparently having been cut down.

Matt from The Twice Brewed Inn & Brew House, told LBC: “I was there this morning, white paint is to mark where to cut a wedge out of one side on where to fell it.

"That is not an accident, there are not many trees around here. You wouldn't fell it so it would hit Hadrian's Wall, which it did.

"The site is not accessible, not easy to get to and it was done at night. It is clearly an act of vandalism, this isn't like spray painting on a wall."

"Trek for a mile there and a mile back to fell a tree" 

"Why would you be that disgruntled to free a tree that is a focal point on Hadrian's wall."

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On Thursday morning the national park authority said: "(We) can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night. We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled.

"We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known."

The authority is asking the public not to visit the site, near Crag Lough, "whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe".

A spokesperson added: "Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust's awards and is much-loved by people from across the world."

The Sycamore Gap tree is probably the most photographed in the country and stands in a dramatic dip in Hadrian's Wall.

The Northumberland National Park Authority's website says the Roman Milecastle 39 is just to its left.

Sycamore Gap is looked after by both Northumberland National Park and the National Trust.

The news was met with dismay and outrage by walkers' groups on social media.

One woman, who visited the site on Thursday, posted a picture on Facebook of the felled tree with the caption: "An awful moment for all walking Hadrians wall the Sycamore Gap tree has gone! Not the storm an absolute f****** felled it!!"

Another user replied: "I am absolutely heartbroken as someone that is there often taking photos."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm an investigation has been launched following damage to the Sycamore Gap Tree in Northumberland.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed."