Sycamore Gap: Tree lovers talk about the impact it had on their lives

May 2020: Nathan Chubb and his wife pose after he popped the question to her at Sycamore Gap

On the night of 27 September this year, Northumberland's famous Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall was illegally chopped down.

After the unprecedented public response, the National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority invited people to share their photos and memories of visiting the iconic landmark, so they can make tributes and a 3D image.

To some it was just a beautiful tree, but to others the 200-year-old sycamore represented the beginnings of married life, a place of treasured family time, or a constant friend.

'Something special'

Andrew was unable to keep his promise to take his family to Sycamore Gap after his six-day expedition on Hadrian's Wall

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Andrew Needham received the awful news that a close family member back home in Lincolnshire had cancer and needed an operation.

The operation was a success and Andrew felt he owed Cancer Research UK a great deal, so over six days he raised £900 for the charity walking the whole of Hadrian's Wall. He then reached "the tree".

"When I reached that lonesome tree in that lonesome dip I experienced something special," he said.

"Families and children laughed. Couples smiled and ate their picnics. I sat with an old couple who had actually flown from Australia to see it."

Taking one last look, he promised himself he'd bring his family there on a special trip. A trip that will now never happen.

'Iconic spot'

John Barrow is pictured at 17:26 BST on 27 September, halfway through a four-day walk along the centre section of Hadrian's Wall

Michael Bode and John Barrow took what they believe is one of the last-ever photos of Sycamore Gap.

The pair were halfway through their four-day walk along Hadrian's Wall when they reached Sycamore Gap at 17:26 BST on 27 September, the night it was felled.

"We naturally stopped to take photos of this iconic spot before heading down to The Twice Brewed Inn where we arrived at just after 6pm and stayed the night," Michael said.

"Storm Agnes was blowing through and we saw no-one else in front or behind us on the way to the pub from the Gap.

"Next morning we heard the Inn staff talking about a tree that had been felled during the night, and only realised it was the Sycamore Gap tree when we were walking on again and were alerted to the BBC website.

"We were shocked and greatly saddened, far more so than for any other tree being lost that I can remember."

Down on one knee

Rosie Lamb says the tree was a "major highlight" of her trek with husband Jamie

Keen ramblers Rosie and Jamie Lamb got engaged at Sycamore Gap in May 2022.

As lovers of history and walking, they walked the length of Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast and say they were looking forward to seeing the tree.

"It was a major highlight of our walk in more ways than one!" Rosie said.

Meanwhile, Nathan Chubb and his wife Joanne, who visited in 2020, said they were "devastated" to hear of the tree's felling.

"This area held special importance to us as it was under the famous tree where I popped the question to my wife... she said yes!" Nathan said.

"It was a glorious spring day in May 2020. The sun was shining and the sycamore tree helped shade us from the sun."

'Dependable friend'

James Cross and his best friend celebrated their retirement in September by walking Hadrian's Wall from east to west

James Cross first visited Sycamore Gap in 1973, aged 11, with his father. It was one of several visits they made in the 70s, including in the freak snowstorm of 1975.

He last visited it on the Saturday before it was felled with his best friend from school, as they celebrated their retirement by walking Hadrian's Wall from east to west over six days.

He says he took the above photo when "like so many others that day and on countless days before us, we rested awhile at Sycamore Gap admiring the tree's shapely tenacity and vigour".

He has made around five visits to the tree in his lifetime which were "all memorable for different reasons".

"On each occasion, the tree has been a witness not only to our companionable day's walking, but also to the journeys of each of our lives," he said.

"The tree was a dependable, and seemingly ageless, friend over 50 years, and I grieve for its loss."

Beloved place

Lee Johnston says he has seen the Northern lights, sunsets, and sunrises on Hadrian's Wall

Lee Johnston first found Sycamore Gap when he moved to the area after an incident which left him with fractures to his skull and led to a severe mental breakdown.

"The wall and Sycamore Gap became a place I could walk to be alone with my thoughts and deal with my mental health in a positive way," he said. "It was also the start of my photography career.

"I've walked the wall in every season, seen the aurora, sunsets and sunrises and it will always hold a place in my heart."

'Heartfelt stories'

The oldest image of the tree received by the National Trust was taken in 2016

Using the public's photos, the National Trust hopes to create a 3D image of the tree and potential future exhibitions.

The organisation is still looking for more photos, particularly close-ups showing the detail of the tree, and pictures taken before 2016.

Michael Innerdale, regional director at the National Trust, says the organisation is thankful for the many heartfelt stories and images of the tree they have received "from every angle and in all types of weather".

He said: "Together, these memories create an important and poignant record of this much-loved tree, and show just how much it meant to people."

Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, says the "unprecedented and historic" felling of the Sycamore Gap tree not only affected people locally, but across the world.

"We have felt this through the many heartfelt anecdotes people have shared," he said.

"Everyone involved [in our project] is keen to continue to engage with the public in a meaningful way, to do the right thing for nature and people, and ensure, as we have always said, that the legacy of Sycamore Gap is one that is positive and heartfelt."

The organisations are continuing to invite the public to share their photos and stories of the tree by emailing [e-mail].