Hadrian’s Wall sustained damage during the felling of one of Britain’s most-loved trees, a preliminary inspection by Historic England has revealed.
The heritage body said it had not yet been able to carry out a full investigation but an early look had shown there was “some damage” to the wall.
The 300-year-old Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was regarded by many as part of the DNA of north-east England. Its felling on Wednesday or Thursday last week prompted an outpouring of sadness mixed with anger at the senselessness of the vandalism.
Kim McGuinness, the police and crime commissioner for Northumbria, said it was like “stealing joy”.
The tree was right next to Hadrian’s Wall and photographs show that it landed on the wall during the felling.
A spokesperson for Historic England said: “We visited Sycamore Gap on Friday for a preliminary inspection.
“Whilst we identified that Hadrian’s Wall has sustained some damage, we have not been able to access the site to carry out a full investigation so a further archaeological appraisal will take place once the site is considered safe.
“As the government’s heritage adviser, we are involved because Hadrian’s Wall is protected as a scheduled monument. We appreciate how strongly people feel about the loss of the tree, and its impact on this special historic landscape, and will continue to work closely with key partners as this progresses.”
Northumbria police arrested a 16-year-old boy and a man in his 60s on suspicion of criminal damage after the attack. Both have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Sycamore Gap is a landmark known across the world, a place where countless marriage proposals have been made and ashes spread. The Northumberland national park authority said it was the most photographed spot in the whole of the national park.
It became particularly famous after it was featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
The act of vandalism is seen as much more that the toppling of a single tree. The landscape writer and poet Robert Macfarlane has said it symbolised a wider attack on nature in the UK. “I just see this as part of a piece with a much broader hostile environment towards the living world in this country,” he told the BBC.
The tree was looked after by the park authority and the National Trust, the landowner. The National Trust said it had been overwhelmed with thousands of messages of support and 150 offers of help.
As the police inquiry continues, another pressing question is what should happen to the site. Many people would like to see a new tree, while others have suggested a replica, a memorial, a work of art or even doing nothing for a few years to see if the stump sprouts new shoots.
A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “We are beginning discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site, which is a Unesco world heritage site, and will be working with Northumberland national park and local people to decide the best way forward.”
