A personal response to the felled tree at Sycamore Gap.

There are so many trees I have yet to converse with, but I do count myself fortunate to have encountered the Sycamore Gap tree a couple of times; a tree that’s mysteriously and defiantly prospored beside the mighty Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. The fact that this tree even established itself, let alone lived this long time and in such exquisite form, is nothing short of a miracle.

I remember my first glimpse from the road of the tree nestled in its gap, and eventually on foot when I paused on the bank above, not wanting to rush my arrival but absorb the tree from on high. I paused awkwardly, but repeatedly all the way down the steps to the bottom of the gap, wanting to catch a glimpse into the tree’s crown without wishing to hold up the steady stream of walkers.

Once at the bottom of the gap I walked away from the tree to find my space, a place to wait and observe; rushing up to the tree didn’t feel right. At a distance and from a rocky seat, I could properly look on whilst trying to understand what made this tree, a simple sycamore, so special.

I’ve met so many sycamores or ‘Great Maples’ in my time, many having proudly stood in prominent places with their flaky trunks and large often

tar-spotted leaves. Their wood grows speedily, and readily, and often I’ve heard talk of them being ‘weed trees’ in a derogatory fashion.

‘Introduced by the Romans’ some books say, whilst some say they were here long before that. They have taken root though, and are hopefully here to stay. In growth, I’ve seen them twist and stretch towards the light, growing from any random place their travelling winged ‘helicopter’ seeds care to land. Yet equally, I’ve observed them growing in open ground, carefully planted and nurtured, as likely was the Gap’s tree, to stand proudly as a sentinel and keep a watch over the land.

The Sycamore Gap tree, however, stands no more, having been felled illegally to further some individual’s aim. It was not felled by its custodians that is for sure. As I type this, barely twenty four hours after it was viciously sliced clean through in the night, its exposed white heartwood lies open to the elements; the tree’s solid trunk that yesterday stood watch over the wall, stands no more. The land now mourns the loss of a hallmark, the wall its friend.

Back in the day, I approached the tree after my pause, studying its flared trunk, politely not wanting to step on its toes. It looks pretty sturdy for an old one, I thought. To the touch, its trunk was rock hard but surprisingly warm. I stopped short of a hug, as often I do, but I did hold it awhile, taking my turn to feel its presence, and my did it have presence. 

I would go as far to say that the Sycamore Gap tree emitted an energy, a life force drawn I imagined from its roots married so long to the wall. Moving away to allow others to take their moment, I returned a few times, hovering just a few feet away, not knowing what to ask or expect from the tree in return. The tree of course had seen many like me come and go, so I decided that like the tree – it was enough just to be there.

Why? Is the word in my head as I now look upon the news – Why dare to end such an incredible life? Why choose this tree? Why now?

Maybe we shall never know these answers, and maybe I don’t want to hear the truth, for there can be no rhyme or reason that can take away the cold fact that this tree now lies crushed upon the ground. A prank, an act of revenge, I can’t think what, and I can’t forgive or forget. I shall though take some comfort in feeling that in the light of a new day, someone will be feeling the weight of their actions equal to the weight of that tree upon the ground. They may never lose that load.

If however there is one positive thing to bounce back from this act, it’s the reaction and outpouring of love for that tree. The Sycamore Gap tree had found its way into our hearts and minds, we knew that, but to this degree I could scarcely of imagined. The surge of appreciation for this tree has genuinely opened my eyes to the respect people have for trees, and I can only hope that this is noticed by those who are lucky enough to have trees on their land. If you haven’t yet – take the time to notice trees, value trees, and preserve them.

Whilst our Sycamore Gap tree will hopefully grow back again, in some form, I hope it will continue to stand as a symbol of our connection to, and need for, trees. I also hope that this tree’s time travelling timber can be used creatively, so it will live forever more in many varied ways; artistic sculpture, ornaments, even musical instruments, there’s enough to go around. 

Love trees for all that they give, for one moment they’re there, and then with a gust of wind or slice of a saw, they’re gone. 

Gary Webb.