Govind Tekale
Scientists have confirmed that the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, illegally cut down in 2023, was at least 100 to 120 years old when it met its untimely end. This first-ever scientific analysis of the beloved landmark resolves longstanding questions about when it became part of the historic Hadrian’s Wall landscape in Northumberland.
Experts from Historic England conducted detailed research on a cross-section of the felled trunk, carefully counting the tree’s growth rings in laboratory conditions at their Fort Cumberland facility in Portsmouth. Each ring typically represents one year of growth, providing researchers with solid evidence of the tree’s minimum age.
“It has been a privilege working with colleagues on such an iconic tree and being able to contribute to our knowledge and understanding of its history in the landscape,” said Zoë Hazell, senior palaeoecologist with Historic England’s Investigative Science team.
The research revealed a fascinating detail about the tree’s structure. Scientists found evidence of “internal bark” – a telltale line showing that the sycamore was originally multiple stems that later fused together. The two main stems merged when they were approximately 30 to 35 years old, explaining the tree’s distinctive shape that made it a photographer’s favorite.
Dendrochronologist Cathy Tyers, who worked on the project, noted special challenges in dating the sycamore: “The ring boundaries of sycamores are less obviously defined than some other tree species.” She also pointed to “the comparative scarcity” of existing reference data on historic sycamore trees compared to other trees such as oak or pine.”
The age confirmation supports historical theories that the tree was likely planted in the late 1800s by John Clayton, the then-landowner, as a deliberate landscape feature. However, because the stump remains in the ground with its earliest growth rings, scientists emphasize this is a minimum age – the tree could have been even older.
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The Sycamore Gap tree gained worldwide fame for its picturesque setting in a natural dip along Hadrian’s Wall. Its destruction on September 28, 2023, sparked national outrage. Former friends Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of the illegal felling and were each sentenced to more than four years in prison for what prosecutors described as “mindless thuggery.”
Tom Frater, Historic England’s North East and Yorkshire regional director, reflected on the findings: “People had a sense of it being standing watch over the landscape for a long time. That combination of human nature and history is part of why it really appealed to people. But we didn’t actually know when it was planted.”
The cross-sectional slice used for the analysis has been preserved and will be added to Historic England’s National Wood Collection for future research. Scientists plan further analysis, potentially using advanced imaging techniques from the University of Exeter’s Digital Humanities lab to refine the ring count.
Since the felling, Historic England, the National Trust, and Northumberland National Park have launched several initiatives to preserve the tree’s legacy and engage communities both locally and nationally.
While the iconic sycamore may be gone, its scientific examination has added new chapters to its remarkable story. The tree that stood witness to a century of history continues to reveal its secrets, ensuring its place in both scientific records and public memory.
