10,000 trees toppled: dramatic photos reveal aftermath of hurricane-force gales

10,000 trees toppled: dramatic photos reveal aftermath of hurricane-force gales

Hurricane-force winds toppled tens of thousands of trees across National Trust sites in the UK, creating irreparable damage

Published: January 29, 2025 at 2:25 pm

Over 10,000 trees have been toppled in National Trust sites after Storm Éowyn ripped through Northern Ireland and parts of northern England last week.

The Met Office has described it as one of the strongest storms to hit the UK in 10 years, and it was accompanied with a red weather warning.

Mount Stewart in County Down was among the worst affected sites, with gusts of 100mph bringing down an estimated 10,000 trees on the 900-acre formal gardens, estate and woodlands.

Shelia Das, the National Trust’s Head of Gardens and Parks, said: "Our ranger and garden teams are assessing the aftermath but it's already clear we've lost some very significant and precious trees, which is hugely sad. Mature trees, some with veteran qualities and important histories, give such character to our gardens and they connect us to the people who planted them, as well as playing a vital role in the ecosystems of our landscapes."

Most National Trust places are now back open, but the Trust is advising visitors to check property websites before setting out.

Storm Eowyn damage Mount Stewart
Clear up efforts have begun at Mount Stewart, which was one of the worst-affected National Trust sites/National Trust Images
Storm Eowyn Rowallane Garden NI
Trees over 250 years old came down in Rowallane Garden – with some root plates being ripped up and destroyed forever/National Trust Images
Storm Eowyn Craigside Northumberland
A 45m tree, thought to have been planted 150 years ago, has fallen into Debdon Burn and blocked the water flow. If left, it could cause erosion, waterlogging and potentially even damage Cragside’s pumphouse and its Victorian hydraulics/National Trust Images
Storm Eowyn Address NI
Large trees were also uprooted at Ardress, County Down/National Trust Images
The Agory Storm Eowyn NI
The National Trust is now working to restore its sites, ready to open to the public/National Trust Images
Mount Stewart NI Storm Eowyn
Visitor and office facilities, as well as the gardener's bothy, were also affected at Mount Stewart/National Trust Images

More UK news

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2024