The UK's famous Sycamore Gap Tree, also known as the Robin Hood Tree from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, has been cut down in what authorities are saying was an act of vandalism.
Northumberland National Park authority and the Northumbria Police both confirmed the situation in a statement today, saying the tree had been felled at some point last night, and that the act was not done by or with the authorization of the National Trust, the National Park, or any of their partners. A police investigation is ongoing, with the BBC reporting that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested in conjunction with the act.
Officers have condemned the vandalism of an iconic #Northumberland tree and vowed to bring anyone responsible to justice.
— Northumbria Police (@northumbriapol) September 28, 2023
A full investigation has been launched after the Sycamore Gap Tree was felled overnight in what police believe to be a deliberate act of vandalism. (1/3) https://t.co/gs3mNNYyjq pic.twitter.com/S3E5k3pzaW
The Sycamore Gap Tree is a famous, several hundred-year-old sycamore tree next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. While already a famous local and national landmark, the tree was also known around the world for its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and was also referred to as the Robin Hood Tree. It has been suggested to be one of the most-photographed trees in England, and won England "Tree of the Year" in 2016.
"It's been really important since lockdown that everyone accesses the countryside, and about 80%, possibly more of the inquiries we get at The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre are from people who want to find their way to Sycamore Gap," said Tony Gates, chief executive at Northumberland National Park Authority, in a video. "They want to walk to the famous tree."
The national park authority is asking the public not to visit the site while the investigation is ongoing, and is urging anyone with information on what happened to report it.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Blogroll photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
