Sycamore Gap tree was at least 100 years old, experts say

New research has revealed more about the famous Sycamore Gap tree which was cut down illegally in Northumberland two years ago.

Scientists at Historic England, which protects the country's historic environment, took a closer look at a slice of the trunk.

They have now confirmed the tree was at least 100 to 120 years old.

Experts also think that the tree was once individual trunks which merged together over time.

How can you tell the age of a tree?

The exact age of the Sycamore Gap tree, which stood next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, had been a mystery for many years - with the date of its planting thought to be in the late 1800s.

Historic England said its team took a slice from the cross section of the trunk to examine it closer.

Experts say the wood was in "good condition" and that they were then able to count the tree rings.

They estimated around 100-120 for the two main stems of the trunk, which had stood about a metre off the ground.

Each ring on a tree typically indicates one year of growth, meaning the tree was at least a century old.

Researchers also saw a line in the middle of the section, indicating that the sycamore was at one time a number of individual trunks which merged together.

The two main stems fused when they were around 30 to 35 years old, the team said.

Historic England added that the section of wood would now be safely and there could be more detailed testing in the future to provide a "more accurate count."

Zoë Hazell from the organisation said it had been a "privilege" working on "such an iconic tree" and being able to help further "our knowledge and understanding of its history in the landscape".

What was the Sycamore Gap tree and why was it so famous?

People would come from all over the world to visit the famous tree.

This may have had something to do with its location - for around 300 years, the huge Sycamore Gap tree stood along Hadrian's wall, in the north of England.

It grew in a big dip in the wall, so looked very striking.

It won Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year in 2016, and has featured in several films, including the 1991 version of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.