Ten months after it was illegally chopped down, there is hope that the historic tree will survive as new shoots have sprouted from the base of the stump.
The Northumberland National Park Authority and the National Trust are hoping that the sprouts will grow significantly and produce “new” trees around the original stump.
“It was serendipitous that I decided to walk up to Sycamore Gap to recce a guided walk planned for September, almost a year to the anniversary,” said national park ranger Gary Pickles, who discovered the shoots.
“Over the past year, I’ve taken this walk multiple times, but this time was unique because of something new.”
When the tree was found to have been felled, I was the first on the scene, and I recall quickly stating that it had disappeared. I hope I can now declare that it has returned.
“Preserving history is the main responsibility of my work as a ranger on Hadrian’s Wall Path. I had therefore mentally relegated the tree to history, so you can imagine my amazement and happiness when I learn that it may have a future after all and is succeeding.
