Why was the Sycamore Gap tree cut down and who was responsible?

Jul 19, 2025 UK News views: 181

The crime scene (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

What is being done to save it?

The National Trust,which runs the site,rushed to collect seeds and cuttings from the tree that could be planted and nurtured.

They were transported to a secret location somewhere in Devon to a ‘high security greenhouse’,a BBC report said.

Andy Jasper,director of parklands at the National Trust,said: ‘After discovering the felled tree,our teams were quickly on the scene to collect material that would enable us to propagate from the tree.

‘This work is taking place in our specialist rare plant propagation nursery and although this wasn’t really the right time of year to do this work,we are encouraged by positive signs of life,and are hopeful that over 30 per cent of the mature seeds and half of the cuttings (scions) will be viable,which means we can hopefully grow new descendants from the tree in the future.’

The seedlings could save the legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree (Picture: National Trust/BBC)

The seedlings of the Sycamore Gap tree (Credit: National Trust/BBC)

Some of the fragile seeds have sprouted. The hope is that some of them will ‘grow into strong,sturdy saplings – providing a new future for this much-loved tree’,Jasper said.

In total,the experts are looking after nine surviving grafted plants and 40-50 seedlings.

Ancient grafting technique joins sections of a fallen tree with healthy roots of another for a healthy tree to grow out of it if it goes well.

TV presenter Si King said the tree had been ‘murdered’ (Credits: Amanda Marks / SWNS)

Chunks of the once majestic tree trunk were later transported to safety.

In April,the Tree Council announced that an action plan is needed to protect trees like the Sycamore Gap.

Northumberland National Park has announced that parts of the tree will go on display at the nearby tourist attraction The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.

Jasper continued: ‘We are also hoping that the trunk of the original tree will regrow,but it could take up to three years before we know if this is possible.

‘As with many things in landscape restoration,we need to be patient and take the time to let nature do its thing.’

Login

Register

Contribute

United News delivers authoritative global news with African and global insights. Breaking coverage on politics, human rights, environmental crises and social justice. Trusted journalism from Johannesburg to the world.

Politics & Conflicts

Business

Environment

Rights & Justice

United News - unews.co.za