New exhibition to mark first anniversary of Sycamore Gap tree felling
- Published
It's been one year since the Sycamore Gap, one of the most famous trees in the UK, was illegally cut down.
The 300-year-old tree stood beside a part of Hadrian's Wall in the North of England and was seen by many as a national landmark.
To mark the occasion, the National Trust is giving members of the public the opportunity to apply for a Sycamore Gap sapling, grown from the seeds of the tree.
Northumberland National Park Authority, where the tree was located, is also opening an exhibition which will display the largest remaining section of the tree.
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How is the anniversary being marked?
The Sycamore Gap tree was deliberately cut down overnight between 27 and 28 September 2023.
The tree was one of the UK's most photographed and was also known as Robin Hood's tree.
It had featured in the Hollywood movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and was a much loved landmark in Northumberland.
At the time, the National Trust said it was "shocked and saddened" by the loss of the tree.
It described the past twelve months as a "rollercoaster of emotions" - from "hopelessness and grief" to the joyful stories about "just what the tree meant to so many".
After the tree was cut down, the National Trust collected some of the seeds from the tree and sent it to their Plant Conservation Centre, where the team has worked to successfully grow more than 100 seedlings.
As a result, they're offering people the opportunity to apply for one of 49 Sycamore Gap saplings, which will be gifted to their communities around the UK.
As the closest school to the Sycamore Gap Tree, Henshaw Church of England Primary School, will also receive a sapling as will all 15 of the UK's National Parks - which have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK.
Andrew Poad, from the National Trust explained that they wanted the public to "feel that they are part of this story - that they are a part of this tree's wonderful legacy, helping to create a new chapter in the life of this legendary tree."