Famous Sycamore Gap tree is cut down overnight: Heartbreak at ‘malicious act of vandalism’ as police suspect the iconic landmark along Hadrian’s Wall was ‘deliberately felled’
- Police confirmed an investigation has been launched into the felling of the tree
The famous Sycamore Gap tree that appeared in Hollywood blockbusters has been chopped down, with police suspecting it was felled ‘deliberately’.
Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, featured in the 1991 blockbuster film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
However, this morning the iconic tree, which is believed to be a few hundred years old, was discovered lying next to the Roman Wall.
Northumberland National Park Authority have confirmed they believe the tree was deliberately chopped down.
The tree stood in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall in the Northumberland National Park and had become one of the most photographed in the country.
Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, featured in the 1991 blockbuster film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman
The famous Sycamore Gap tree that appeared in Hollywood blockbusters has been chopped down, with police suspecting it was felled ‘deliberately’
The Sycamore Gap, cut down last night, is pictured here in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner
This morning the iconic tree, which is believed to be a few hundred years old, was discovered lying next to the Roman Wall
The beloved tree features in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Freeman and Costner and a scene is pictured here
People are being discouraged from visiting the spot while the hunt for clues goes on and the probe takes place.
A Northumberland National Park Authority spokesperson said: ‘Northumberland National Park Authority 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 spokesperson added: ‘It is not clear currently whether the tree is a victim of Storm Agnes or it is a deliberate act – though pictures indicate a clean and straight cut.
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.
‘Northumberland National Park Authority would like to ask the public not to visit the site at this time whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe.’
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Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Northumbria Police said: ‘We’ve launched a full investigation following damage to the Sycamore Gap Tree in #Northumberland.
‘Officers are carrying out a range of enquiries to establish whether criminal offences have been committed.’
An investigation has been launched into the incident.
On land owned by the National Trust, it is also known as the Robin Hood Tree because it featured in a scene in the 1991 film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.
It appeared in the music video for Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do, I Do It for You which featured on the film’s soundtrack and topped the charts for several months.
The tree sits in a gap and has been used in film, pictured here is a scene from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
People look at the tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland which has come down overnight after being ‘deliberately felled’
An undated picture of the tree at Sycamore Gap, at Hadrian’s Wall near Crag Lough, Northumberland, taken showing the Northern Lights
Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, featured in the 1991 blockbuster film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ (pictured) starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman
Pictured is Sycamore Gap, on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland – which is iconic to the Roman Wall
Northumberland National Park Authority have confirmed they believe the tree was deliberately chopped down
Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner are pictured in a scene with the beloved Sycamore Gap tree
Farmer Katie Smith, 25, said she spotted the tree on its side as she passed it on her way to work on Thursday (28/9) morning.
She said: ‘I drive passed the tree twice a day and I always look up at it but today I just saw it was gone.
‘Pictures taken of it look like someone has deliberately sawed it down. It’s an absolute tragedy. No one can believe it has been cut down.
‘There was a storm last night but it’s withstood worse. There is no way this is not vandalism. People around here are shocked.’
Andrew Benton, 45, added: ‘I’m outraged that someone has done this to such a beautiful tree. What the hell is the world coming to?’
People on social media have expressed their upset and anger at the felling.
One person wrote: ‘I’m almost lost for words this morning on hearing that the beautiful sycamore tree at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall has been deliberately felled overnight.
The stunning tree is on Hadrian’s wall world heritage site and attracts many tourists
The Sycamore Gap tree is one of the most photographed in the country. Overnight it was chopped down, with many people devastated
Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 blockbuster film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman
An account called North East Tweets said: ‘ Those who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree, have committed an act of great cruelty’
‘What an absolutely disgusting act of mindless vandalism.’
While another said: ‘Somebody has taken a chainsaw to the one of our nation’s most beautiful sights. The Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall Path – Northumberland.
‘It was also the star of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Utterly appalling, police are investigating.’
An account called North East Tweets said: ‘Those who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree, have committed an act of great cruelty.
‘They have shown no regard for nature’s grace, and left a scar upon this sacred place.
‘Let those who cut down the sycamore tree, beware the wrath of nature, wild and free. For their evil deed will not be forgotten.’
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