Photos: Britain's famous Sycamore Gap tree 'deliberately felled'

The landmark, also known as the 'Robin Hood Tree', was voted 2016 English Tree of the Year

Published: September 28, 2023 18:15 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from Reuters, AFP

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London: The famous Sycamore Gap tree, located in a natural dip in the landscape alongside Hadrian's Wall in Northern England, is believed to have been "deliberately felled" overnight, the Northumberland National Park Authority said on Thursday. Image Credit: Reuters

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The landmark, which the national park says is its most photographed spot, was also known as the 'Robin Hood Tree' after being featured in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016. Image Credit: Reuters

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"The famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night. We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled," Northumberland National Park Authority said in statement. Image Credit: Reuters

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"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." Image Credit: Reuters

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The national park authority asked visitors to avoid the site as it worked to identify what happened and to make the area safe. Image Credit: Reuters

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"This is criminal damage and an attack on one of the nation's most famous trees," local lawmaker Guy Opperman said on social media. "Everyone in shock." Image Credit: Reuters

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Northumbria Police said they had launched an investigation and that they were trying to establish if a criminal offence had occurred. Image Credit: Reuters

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Local MP Mary Foy called it "a heartbreaking act of mindless vandalism of a much loved, famous landmark in the North East. "A very sad day for the iconic Sycamore Gap, which will upset so many people around the country - and even across the world," she added. Image Credit: Reuters

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Visitors near the wall's milecastle 39 known as Sycamore Gap, June 4, 2023. | Local councillor Steven Bridgett wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the tree "has definitely been cut down using a chainsaw." Image Credit: AFP

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File photo: A section of Hadrian's Wall near the wall's milecastle 39 known as Sycamore Gap near Hexham, northern England, on January 19, 2022. Image Credit: AFP

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Photos: Britain's famous Sycamore Gap tree 'deliberately felled'

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Photos: Britain's famous Sycamore Gap tree 'deliberately felled'

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